| As a consumer, you have access to a wide | | | | you don't have any specialized dental needs, a |
| variety of dental insurance plans, each of which | | | | prepaid plan is usually the most affordable dental |
| has particular strengths and weaknesses. Indeed, | | | | insurance option. |
| sorting through the hundreds of available options | | | | Fee-for-Service Plans |
| can be a daunting task. Not only are there many | | | | A fee-for-service plan gives you the greatest |
| dental insurance companies serving a particular | | | | choice of dentists. It follows that these plans are |
| area, but there are also dental discount plans that | | | | also more expensive than any of the other dental |
| offer cheaper rates, while not having to adhere to | | | | insurance options. |
| the strict regulations required of dental insurance | | | | On a fee-for-service or indemnity plan, your |
| plans. | | | | payments are usually capped at a certain amount |
| Dental PPO | | | | per year, and you are required to pay a minimum |
| On a Dental PPO Plan, you are required to choose | | | | deductible. Payments vary by procedure, with |
| your dentist from a network of dental clinics that | | | | preventive and diagnostic procedures typically |
| your particular plan contracts at a lower rate. | | | | covered at 80% and crowns and other major |
| Although you can choose a dentist outside of the | | | | operations covered at a lower rate, such as 50%. |
| network, you will typically pay more for your | | | | Discount Dental Plans |
| services. Some plans offer discounts on basic | | | | You may have heard of discount dental plans. |
| services at non-networked dentists, while others | | | | These are plans that are gaining in popularity |
| require you to pay the full rate. | | | | because they typically offer deep discounts |
| Generally, on a PPO Plan, you will only need to | | | | compared to fee-for-service plans. It's important |
| pay the portion of the fee that's not covered by | | | | to realize, however, that these are not dental |
| your plan, rather than paying the full amount up | | | | insurance plans and are not subject to the same |
| front and being reimbursed later. These plans also | | | | regulations. |
| require you to pay a deductible for all services | | | | A discount plan typically offers a low monthly or |
| and cap dental payments at a certain amount per | | | | annual fee for basic preventative and diagnostic |
| year. | | | | dental services. These plans tend to appeal to |
| Prepaid Plans | | | | younger dental patients because there is no paper |
| A prepaid plan requires that you choose one | | | | work involved, and there are no deductibles or |
| dental clinic to take care of all your dental health | | | | yearly limits. |
| needs. If you need to see a dental specialist, you | | | | Each person's dental needs are unique, so there is |
| will likely need to get approval from your dental | | | | no dental plan that is right for everyone. The |
| insurance company prior to receiving care. | | | | most important criteria is usually your level of |
| Rather than a deductible, you typically pay a | | | | comfort with a particular dentist. Once you find a |
| co-pay, or a fixed rate, for any given dental | | | | dentist you like, you can usually work with them |
| service. Some preventive and diagnostic services | | | | to enroll in a dental insurance or discount plan |
| are usually available completely free of charge. If | | | | that's right for your teeth and your wallet. |