Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Dental Plans
If you need reliable, hassle-free dental coverage, PPO dental insurance may be for you. In this type of dental insurance, PPO networks decide who your dentist will be. This means that you will have to choose from a list of dentists to patronage. However, your dental costs will be much lower with a PPO plan and your dental visits will be less of a hassle. With shorter waiting times, good coverage, affordable premiums, and no paperwork, many patients and dentists find a PPO dental plan to be a perfect balance between functionality and affordability.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of PPO? Many employers, employees, and even dentists prefer PPO dental coverage. In many cases, this is because this type of dental insurance offers many benefits, including:
1. PPO dental care allows you the flexibility to see any dentist you choose.
However, with most plans, you can get additional savings by using a dentist who is part of an insurance provider's network of health care professionals.
2. PPO dental coverage gives you low deductibles – around $50 in some cases.
Some plans even require no deductibles at all. This helps to make your dental insurance as affordable as possible.
3. PPO dental coverage is preferred by many dentists because dentists get paid sooner and with less hassle through this type of coverage.
This can mean that more dentists agree to be part of PPO networks and can mean that dentists are more eager to work with patients who are part of a PPO plan.
4. PPO dental coverage usually involves no wait times or very short wait times for basic services and preventative care
This can help add convenience to your dental care and can help ensure that you get the best service possible.
5. PPO dental coverage can save you on paperwork.
Depending on your provider, you may simply have to present your insurance card when you visit a dentist who is part of your insurance providers network. The dentist will fill out and send in all of your paperwork for you.
Despite these disadvantages, however, there are some drawbacks to PPO style dental plans. For example:
1. PPO dental coverage gives the dentist the right to turn away some eligible patients.
In some PPO plans, dentists can simply not accept patients who have a policy that will ensure that the dentist will not be reimbursed for their services.
2. Most PPO dental coverage plans do have deductibles.
Although these deductibles can be small, they still do add up, especially if several members of your family are covered by the plan.
3. Many patients dislike the dental network system.
If you want the flexibility to choose your own dentist, you may be out of luck when it comes to dental insurance PPO . Choosing a dentist who is not part of the dental provider network will often result in limited benefits, higher costs, and even increased premiums. Some patients find this inability to choose somewhat restrictive.
4. PPO dental plans can be restrictive.
Some offer insurance coverage of only $1000, even though simple services such as root canals regularly cost several times that amount. Some policies also have life limits, or an amount that you cannot claim past.
How could I benefit from a PPO?
There are many patients who can benefit from PPO dental plans:
1. Patients whose employers offer PPO dental plans
These plans are often very cost-effective and can help employees save a lot of money. Also, if your employer offers such a plan, the employer is likely contributing to the cost of the plan. This means that you will have to pay less than if you sought a plan directly from an insurance provider.
2. Patients whose dentist is already part of a PPO network.
If your dentist is part of a PPO network, you can get discounts on your dental work by getting your insurance from the insurance provider your dentist is part of.
3. Patients interested in minimal hassle can benefit from PPO dental coverage
If shorter waiting times and no paperwork are more important to you than being able to choose any dentist you want, then PPO dental coverage may be for you. Many patients find that they are able to select from a large number of dentists via a PPO plan and get better service once they go see a dental care professional.
Dental
Health Savings Accounts
You can use this account to pay for your qualified health expenses, including expenses that the plan ordinarily doesn’t cover, such as eyeglasses and hearing aids.
Expenses paid out of the HSA that are eligible expenses under your high-deductible health plan will count toward the plan’s deductible.
