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Are you looking to set yourself up with a dental insurance plan? Here’s some things you should know before you get started.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
Dental insurance is designed to cover the costs of your dental treatment up to a certain amount.
For most people, routine preventative care such as cleanings, check ups, and periodic x-rays are covered under their dental insurance.
Restorative care such as fillings, root canals, crowns, and extractions are usually covered up to a certain amount each year; for most people, the threshold is usually just around $1,500 to $2,000 each year, though each dental insurance plan varies.
At the end of the year, any benefits that went unused are lost; they do not roll over into the next year.
While this is the general idea behind dental insurance, the specifics of coverage vary depending on the type of plan that you choose.
Types of Dental Insurance Coverage
There are two main types of dental insurance coverage:
Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO)
A DHMO plan is similar to a health insurance HMO plan. Because patients receive care only with a dentist that participates with the plan, costs are typically lower than other plan types. With a DHMO, patients do not typically have a deductible to pay before receiving payment; they simply have a copay to take care of during their visit. DHMO plans typically do not have a yearly maximum coverage amount.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Unlike DHMO plans, PPO plans allow the patient to receive care with the dentist of their choice. They usually require higher out-of-pocket costs from the patient, and in most cases, the patient is responsible for meeting a deductible. PPO plans usually have a yearly maximum coverage amount.
No matter the dental insurance plan you choose, Robstown Smiles is here to provide you with the care you need. To get scheduled for an appointment in our Robstown, Tx dental office or to determine if we participate with your dental insurance, give us a call at 361-933-0124.