Scheduling dental visits shouldn’t be a daunting task, but when you don’t have dental insurance or simply don’t understand your plan, it can make you avoid the situation all together.
Whether you need to clarify the difference between an HMO and a PPO or figure out a plan for getting your restorative work done, your Wharton dentist has a quick guide for you to refer to here.
PPO Vs. HMO Dental Insurance Plans
If you’re using a dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan, the biggest thing to remember is that you’ll experience a higher cost for dental care, but an increased choice in oral health care providers. Dentists who are in a PPO are in a network they have agreed to contracted fees as payment in full rather than the usual fee they charge patients with another type of dental insurance plan. When you visit your PPO dentist, you’ll pay a reduced rate known as coinsurance, while your insurance plan pays the difference. It’s easier to find a dentist that you love with this plan because it offers more flexibility.
Contrary to PPOs, HMOs (Health Maintenance Organization) are just a bit different. In this case, you choose one dentist or dental practice to handle all your oral health needs from the very beginning. HMOs, also known as pre-paid plans, do no have any deductibles or annual maximum amounts of coverage. So, in the case that you need dental care, you’ll pay the dentist you visit a fixed amount called a copay. It’s still important to remember that preventive services are covered mostly, but if you decide to choose a dentist that’s out of your insurance’s network, you’ll be responsible for all of the costs.
Meet with Your Dentist Early On
If you plan to receive extensive restorative work in the future, you’ll want to discuss this with your dentist prior to setting your dates. To avoid paying additional out-of-pocket costs and let your insurance take the reins, try to plan your dental work according to your dental insurance plan and early on.
Make and Keep Your Regular Checkups
Dental insurance puts an emphasis on preventive care, which is why many plans cover most—if not all—of preventive care treatments and procedures. You might save your insurance company money in the long run by warding off dental problems in the future.
To get the most out of your benefits, you should be visiting your dentist at least every 6 months—this is just twice a year! Your dentist will be able to perform an exam to review the state of your oral health and a deep professional cleaning of the teeth and gums.
Keep your benefits in mind. Schedule an appointment with your local dentist today!
About Our Office
Here at the office of Dr. Tripulas, we want everyone to receive the dental care their smile needs to last for years and years. No matter what dental plan you have with your insurance company—or even if you don’t have insurance—our office is willing to work with you to keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. Learn more by calling us today!