Understanding your options when purchasing any insurance coverage is crucial in order to get the coverage that is right for you. Dental insurance is available for individual and group, group insurance plan is available only to employers.
DHMO: Dental Health Maintenance Organization is a network plan which provides various dental procedures for a fix copayment. Patients are required to choose a primary dentist within the network. Common features of this plan include no annual dollar limit on benefit, No deductible and fix co-payment.
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization, an excellent way to get the most coverage and benefit at a reasonable cost. Usual routine check-up and preventive care are all covered by the plan. You are required to choose a primary care dentist from within the network, upon enrollment your primary dentists will take care of your dental needs. If special care is needed, your dentist will refer you to a specialist. The insurance company will provide you with an outline of benefits and co-payment for each listed treatment. Generally most preventive treatment such as check-up, cleaning and x-ray are performed at no cost.
PPO: Proffered Provider Organization is most attractive because of its flexibility and freedom it allows. Unlike the HMO type plans which requires you to choose primary care dentist. There is no primary care dentist requirement; you can choose any dentist or specialist within the network for your dental needs. While Plans, benefits, deductible and coinsurance can varies by insurance companies. The PPO plan normally requires a deductible and coinsurance amount. Most dental plans are similar in basic benefit there no cost or out of pocket expense for preventive care.