Full Coverage Dental Plan Guide
The health of your mouth is more important than most people realize. In fact heart disease and diabetes have been linked to gum disease. If you take certain types of medicines it can cause dry mouth causing tooth decay. A big aid in maintaining a healthy mouth is full Dental Insurance. In this article we will cover the main types of dental insurance, the three categories of service and where you can find the best value for inexpensive dental plans.
The main types of dental insurance plans are listed below. Each plan type has pro’s and con’s and it’s important for you to know to be able to choose the plan that best fits your needs. The major differences concern deductibles, how and when dental bills are paid, choice to dentists and out of pocket expenses.
Indemnity Plans
Preferred Provider Organization
Dental Maintenance Organization
Indemnity Plans or sometimes called traditional plans generally give you a broader choice of dentists. There are no lists or networks. Coverage is paid out as percentage of Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) fees. Some dental services may have a deductible. Any amount your dentist charges above UCR fees is not covered and becomes your expense. Indemnity Plans only pay out after receiving a bill so you might have to pay at time of dental service and then get reimbursed.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO or PPN) are networks of dentists who have agreed to provide service at a network price. As long as you stay in the network you receive the reduced rate. They pay out as a percentage of dental service cost, but if you stay in network you don’t have to worry about fees above UCR. Deductibles will apply for some services.
Dental Maintenance Organization (HMO) will typically have a smaller network and it’s very important to know you cannot go outside your network. If you travel be careful. Basic services like cleanings and x-rays are normally covered for free.
Before signing up for any plan always check the Maximum Benefit Amount. This gives you the maximum dollars the plan will spend on you any one year.
Most Dental Plans are organized around three categories of service preventive, restorative and major treatments. You normally receive the greatest benefits with preventive service and in many cases it’s free.
