Buying dental insurance

Dental insurance works in much the same way as health insurance. Many of us get our dental coverage through our employers, but you may have more than one option to choose from. To select the dental insurance plan that best suits your family's needs, familiarize yourself with the various options available.

 

What types of plans are available? There are two basic types of dental insurance. In a "fee-for-service" dental plan, you'll see the dentist of your choice, and your insurance plan, or your employer, will pay a percentage of the actual treatments you receive. "Managed care" dental plans, by contrast, control the level of reimbursement for services and may limit your choice of dentists. This model includes dental HMOs and preferred provider organizations (PPOs).

 

What's the difference between a dental HMO and a dental PPO? Dentists who agree to participate in a dental HMO typically receive a fixed dollar amount per individual or family member each month. In exchange, the dentist agrees to provide covered treatments at no charge to the patient. In a PPO, you can choose from a list of dentists who have agreed to discount their fees. Or, you can see a non-participating dentist and pay a higher deductible and co-payments.

 

Can I buy dental insurance as an individual rather than through my employer? Yes, dental insurance is offered both to individuals and families as a separate insurance policy. Additionally, many health insurance plans offer dental insurance as an option at an additional cost.

 

Are discount cards the same as dental insurance? No. When you purchase a dental discount card, you'll have access to discounts on dental services with participating providers. But you'll have to pay for those services out of your own pocket. The card is not an insurance product and does not pay for any services.

 

SOURCE: American Dental Association, Chicago