Dental Insurance Programs Indemnity PlansPreferred Provider PlansHMO PlansDiscount PlansDental Indemnity InsuranceThese are the traditional fee-for-service insurance plans. You pay a monthly premium to an insurance company and in return it covers a portion of your dental expenses. Some typical features of these plans:High deductibles before coverage begins (well-designed plans don't apply the deductible to preventive services)Probationary periods on certain procedures that last up to a yearAnnual dollar limit on benefitsFreedom to choose your own dentistYour average monthly cost: $40+ per personCompanies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.In general, an indemnity plan will pay 100 percent of the costs for preventive services, 80 percent for common restorative services, and 50 percent for major treatments, such as crowns and orthodontics. Dental Preferred Provider OrganizationsAnother true insurance plan, a PPO falls somewhere between an indemnity plan and a dental HMO. A group of dentists agrees to provide services at a deeply discounted rate, giving you substantial savings - as long as you stay in their network. Unlike the more restrictive DHMO, though, you can go out of network and still receive some benefits. Some typical features of these plans:Monthly premiumsAnnual dollar capYou must stay within the approved network of dentists or pay higher deductibles and co-paymentsYour average monthly cost: $40Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.HMO Dental InsuranceThese insurance plans, also known as 'capitation plans,' operate like their medical HMO cousins. Some typical features of these plans:Monthly premiums (some require you to prepay a year's worth)Co-payments for office visitsFree preventive or routine careYou must select from an approved network of dentistsMay have an initial enrollment feeAnnual dollar capYour average monthly cost: $20 to $40Companies selling these plans are regulated by state insurance departments.Dental Discount PlansDiscount dental plans are a lot like coupon books where you get a percentage off when you shop at participating merchants. With a dental plan, you don't actually get coupons, but you must go to a dentist who has agreed to participate in the plan and offer services at a discounted rate - $450 for a crown instead of the standard rate of $750, for instance. For individuals and families discount plans seem to represent the best value.Some typical features of these plans:Monthly fee to the dental-discount companyYou must stay within the plan networkAn initial enrollment feeYour average monthly cost: $10 to $20It's important to keep in mind that a discount dental plan is not the same thing as an insurance policy. You are purchasing access to dentist who have agreed to reduced rates for their services and therefore you must use dentist within the network. Quelle "Dental Insurance Programs" : General Main page for "Dental Insurance Programs"