What Is the Best Dental Insurance?

Dental insurance plans are sometimes available through work and sometimes purchased independently. There are a few different types of dental insurance plans and there are dental plans that are not insurance but cover many of the costs of oral care just as dental insurance plans do. Evaluate the advantages of all of the different insurance plans and dental plans to find the best one.

Indemnity dental insurance

Indemnity plans are types of insurance in which the insured pays a specific amount every month for dental insurance coverage to the insurance company. The insurance company then reimburses the individual or the dentist for the services rendered. These plans generally have a high deductible and there is sometimes a waiting period for certain procedures. The individuals can select their own dentist. These plans have a limited amount of services that are allowed in a year, and a limit on the amount paid annually.

Dental HMOs

Some dental plans have restrictions on which dentists its members can to use. Capitation plans function like a Health Maintenance Organization, or HMO. These are known as Dental Health Maintenance Organizations, or DHMOs. These plans include a monthly fee and a co-payment for office visits. The insured must select a dentist from a specific, approved network. Sometimes these contain an initial enrollment fee. Free preventative or routine care is provided. There is a cap on the dollar amount paid in a year.

Dental PPOs

Another type of dental insurance plans, the Preferred Provider Organizations, or PPOs, are not as restrictive as the DMHO plans but not as moderate as the indemnity plans. In PPOs, the individual chooses a dental provider from a specific group of dentists, although they can choose from outside the network and still receive some benefits. These plans have a monthly premium and an annual limit on coverage amounts paid.

Dental plans

An alternative to dental insurance programs are dental plans. When an individual purchases a dental plan, there is no waiting period for services like there is with many dental insurance plans. The person pays a set amount for the dental plan and receives large discounts on dental services. There are no exclusions here for preexisting conditions. There is always a charge for services, though. Nothing is covered 100% with a dental plan.

There are several types of dental insurance available, and all of the insurance plans have an annual limit on payment for services as well as a monthly charge. State insurance departments regulate the companies that sell these different dental insurance plans. Dental plans are another option for people to consider. People pay an initial fee to join the plan, and then receive discounts on many procedures and dental services. If the choice is up to the individual, it is best to consider the advantages of each type of plan to determine which is best.