Shopping for dental insurance can be very overwhelming. There are so many options out there, it can be hard to tell which one is best for you and your family. Here are some concerns people have about PPO dental insurance. Hopefully the answers to these questions will help you decide.
Q: What does PPO stand for?
A: The letters PPO stand for Preferred Provider Organization. It’s a type of plan usually offered by your employer or insurance company. A PPO allows you to see any doctor within the network, in addition to getting a limited amount of coverage if you decide to see a doctor outside the preferred provider network.
Q: So what’s the difference between a PPO and an HMO?
A: The basic difference is the dependence on a network. An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) requires you visit dentists on their list. If you choose a dentist not on that list, you will get no coverage.
Q: How does PPO dental insurance really work?
A: This is a mystery to most people, but it’s really simple. The insurance company asks doctors if they’re willing to offer services for a discounted rate. In exchange, they send patients to that doctor (this is how you get a network of providers). The doctor gets a high volume of patients, which can be difficult to achieve on their own. You, the patient, then get the advantage of lower-cost services.
Q: Will I be getting good care?
A: This is a highly debated question that centers around how the dentists are paid under the structure of each plan.
For example, in an HMO plan, the dentist gets paid a flat fee for every patient he or she sees. No matter what they do for you, cleaning or a root canal, they get the same payment from the insurance company. While this is great for the patient (you pay the same no matter what), for the doctor it can be trouble. Imagine you were paid the same amount no matter how much work you did or how high your expenses were. Wouldn’t you try to keep time and cost expenditures to a minimum?
A PPO plan works differently. The dentist gives the insurance company a reduced rate on services, but the company pays for all services the doctor performs. While you, the patient, do end up paying more than you would with an HMO, there’s no reason your dentist should be hesitant to give best care he or she can.
Q: Are PPO plans affordable?
A: Well, they are definitely more affordable than paying out of pocket! However, PPO plans are not generally more affordable than HMO plans. There is usually a deductible with a PPO that is higher than the co-pay you would make on an HMO plan. The amount of the deductible depends on your plan.
When shopping for dental insurance, it’s a good idea to asses your needs first and then find a plan that best fits. Hopefully this article on PPO dental plans gave you enough information to make that decision.
For free information and tips on full coverage dental insurance and dental insurance for seniors visit Buy Dental Insurance blog.
Tags: dental, dental insurance