Dental Insurance

Dental procedures can often be painful, both physically and on your finances.  Even the most basic dental work can be expensive.  But it can cost you even more in the long run if you put off having the dental work completed due to the cost.  Dental insurance can help pay for these expenses to make sure you get the care that you need.  But it can be complicated determining the type and amount of Dental insurance that you need.  In many ways, Dental insurance is similar to basic health insurance.  There are in-network and out-of-network providers, deductibles, and co-pays.  How much you’re willing to pay out-of-pocket and how much flexibility you want when choosing a provider will determine which type of policy is right for you.  The most common types of Dental insurance include the following:

• Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) policies are typically an affordable option.  It requires that you choose a provider within the network unless you’re comfortable paying more with an out-of-network dentist.  There are usually annual deductibles that must be paid before the insurance kicks in.  Some policies have predetermined co-pays for different procedures.  But most DPPO policies fully cover basic dental care and preventative maintenance.  If you don’t mind choosing an in-network provider then this can be a cost-effective Dental insurance plan.
• Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) policies are very similar to DPPO policies.  Premiums are typically affordable and you must choose a dentist from the network.  The difference is that you aren’t able to choose an out-of-network provider with this plan.  And you must choose a primary care provider who will then refer you if specialist work is necessary.  Also, there are usually fewer providers to choose from within a DHMO compared to a DPPO.  But if affordable premiums are more important to you than provider choice, then a DHMO policy is a solid option for your dental insurance needs.
• Dental Indemnity is another popular type of insurance plan.  These policies provide the most flexibility because there isn’t a network of dentists to choose from.  And you typically don’t need a referral before seeing a specialist.  But this choice comes at a cost.  Deductibles and co-pays tend to be higher than DPPO and DHMO.  And there will probably be some out-of-pocket costs for even routine procedures.  But if the flexibility of choosing a provider is of utmost importance to you, then you might be best suited for a Dental Indemnity policy.

The best way to determine which Dental insurance policy is best for you is to ask a licensed agent in our office.  We can assist you with assessing your insurance needs and provide you with some quotes from several of the top insurance companies.