When it comes to financing your dental care, you have plenty of options to choose from. However, it can be difficult to keep track of how they’re all different from each other. From dental insurance PPO and HMO plans to in-house dental discount plans and beyond, it can feel somewhat overwhelming trying to determine which option is right for you. Thankfully, understanding some of the basics can help cut through the confusion and help you make the right choice. Read on as your Orlando dentist explains the key differences between Dental Insurance and In-House Dental Discount Plans.
THE BASICS OF DENTAL INSURANCE
You may be able to get dental insurance through your employer, or you may prefer to buy a plan on your own. A dental HMO requires you to choose a primary care dentist and won’t usually cover the costs of dentists who are out-of-network. On the other hand, a dental PPO plan allows you to choose a dentist from a network of providers and will usually provide partial benefits if you seek care out-of-network.
You’ll need to pay a monthly or quarterly premium for your coverage to stay active, and PPO plans require you to meet a deductible before your insurance begins paying for your treatments. Different types of dental treatments are covered at different percentages. For example, most plans cover preventive care like checkups at 90-100% and more major procedures at 50-75%.
Of course, this is just a brief overview of dental insurance. Many policies also include co-pays, annual maximums, waiting periods, exclusions, and other terms and conditions. If you have questions about your dental insurance, your dentist and their team will be happy to walk you through the details of your plan.
UNDERSTANDING IN-HOUSE DENTAL DISCOUNT PLANS
Alternatively, your dentist may offer an in-house dental discount plan. Essentially, these plans resemble a simplified version of dental insurance. Typically, you’ll pay your dentist a flat fee to enjoy their discount plan for a year. These plans will differ from dentist to dentist, and an in-house discount plan will only apply to the dental practice you get it from. Most in-house dental discount plans will cover the majority of diagnostic and preventive care costs, and then progressively less extensive procedures.
While in-house dental discount plans usually offer slightly less coverage than dental insurance, they are still an excellent option for saving money on your oral healthcare. These types of plans are popular because of their simplicity and ease of use since they generally don’t include deductibles, waiting periods, maximums, or other conditions that can make dental insurance seem confusing. Sometimes, they’ll even cover a portion of cosmetic treatments, which are rarely covered by dental insurance.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR BENEFITS
There are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you make the most of your dental insurance or in-house discount plan. However, regardless of which option you choose, one of the best ways to maximize your benefits is to take full advantage of your preventive care coverage. Routine dental checkups and cleanings are a quick and easy way to monitor your oral health and prevent issues from developing. They also give your dentist a chance to spot and stop any problems as early as possible, while they’re still small and inexpensive to treat. Nearly all plans cover most of the costs associated with preventive and diagnostic care, which makes these visits incredibly affordable. Visiting your dentist twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings is great for both your smile and your wallet!
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
The talented, compassionate team of Sand Lake Dental has been serving the smiles of Orlando and the surrounding communities for over 15 years. With their family-friendly office, state-of-the-art technology, and comprehensive menu of services, they strive to make dental care as pleasant as possible for you in every way. They’re happy to accept numerous dental insurance plans and are proud to offer their own in-house dental discount plan as well. To learn more about just how affordable taking care of your smile can be, they can be reached via their Website or (407) 255-2391.
