Discount Dental Plans are not insurance. The managing organizations have negotiated with local dental offices to establish a set price for a particular dental procedure and offer deep discounts (some up to 70%) off the regular ADA pricing code. This plan has several advantages over traditional dental insurance plans, namely, there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. This allows a patient to receive immediate coverage for work without meeting any waiting period requirements.
Dental HMOs provide comprehensive dental care to enrolled patients through designated provider office (dentist). A Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) is a common example of a capitation plan. The dentist is paid on a per capita (per person) basis rather than for actual treatment provided. Participating dentists receive a fixes monthly fee based on the number of patients assigned to the office. In addition to premiums, client co-payments may be required for each visit. Some typical features of these plans:
Monthly premiums (some require you to prepay a year's worth)
Co-payments for office visits
Free preventive or routine care
You must select from an approved network of dentists
May have an initial enrollment fee
Annual dollar cap
Your average monthly cost: $5 to $15
Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.
Preferred Provider Organizations( PPOs) allows a particular group of patients to receive dental care from a defined panel of dentists. The participating dentist agrees to charge less than usual fees to this specific patient base, providing savings for the plan purchaser. If the patient chooses to see a dentist who is not designated as a "preferred provider," that patient may be required to pay a greater share of the fee-for-service. A group of dentists agrees to provide services at a deeply discounted rate, giving you substantial savings — as long as you stay in their network. Unlike the more restrictive DHMO, though, you can go out of network and still receive some benefits. Some typical features of these plans:
Monthly premiums
Annual dollar cap
You must stay within the approved network of dentists or pay higher deductibles and co-payments
Your average monthly cost: $20-25
Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.
"I recommend this plan to anyone with our without dental insurance. It is much better than my employer-provided plan."
Mary Ambler - Bakersfield, CA
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