Carrying personal dental insurance is almost a must in this day and age. Dental problems have been linked to several health issues and the cost of visiting a dentist can be very expensive. There are several types of personal dental insurance for you to consider and you should familiarize yourself with each one before choosing.
Indemnity Plan
This is what is known as a traditional dental insurance plan, if you have a policy of this nature, you have options on who does your dental work. You do not have to choose a provider from within a network you are free to use any dental technician you so desire. This is really a basic dental plan as they cover only preventative care and what is considered usual and customary.
With this type of personal dental insurance, you will want to focus particularly on what the company determines usual and customary. This will vary widely from one insurance company to the next so be sure to ask about the covered procedures before signing up.
An indemnity personal dental insurance plan will generally cover 100% of preventative cost and 80% of usual dental costs. Companies will differ somewhat in how this is accomplished, such as with a co-pay or reimbursement, but a co-pay is the most commonly used method. With a co-pay, you simply visit your dentist and then pay the difference between what the insurance covers and the full price of the service. Watch these policies carefully as most will have a maximum yearly benefit and sometimes even a lifetime limit on service.
Preferred Provider Organization
These types of plans are often some of the cheapest because you are offered a list of dental providers to choose from and if you use one from the list, you get deeper discounts. Dentists sign up to be a part of these organizations to increase patient referrals. The insurance company suggests the dentist and the dentist in turn offers lower prices to customers on these plans, it is a win/win situation for all involved. Many dentists prefer these types of insurance plans due to the fact that they are paid more quickly and with less hassle.
It is important to note that with a PPO personal dental insurance plan you are still allowed to choose your own dentist, you simply save more money if you use an in network provider.
Health Maintenance Organizations
This is a plan similar to a PPO plan but with a few major differences. With an HMO plan, you are not allowed to choose a dentist from outside the network. For many people this is a major disadvantage. The manner in which dentists are paid through an HMO is vastly different as well; instead of offering, their services for a reduced amount that the dentist determines HMO dentists are paid a flat fee, an issue that has many patients complaining that they do not receive adequate care.
Finally
Personal dental insurance is very important for many reasons, not the least of which is your overall health. It is best if you examine all the possible personal dental insurance plans available in your area to get the best coverage for the lowest price.
If you are interested in an affordable alternative to personal dental insurance, we recommend you visit DentalPlan.com.
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