Dental Plans

Each insurance company has different types of dental plans. It is impossible to generalize the types of plans because what works for one company doesn’t work for another – especially if they cater to different types of employers. But there are some common features that can be noticed in most dental plans. Here are some of the types you may encounter when researching the dental plan that is right for you.

1. Fee-for-service plan is a quite common plan (or the variation of it). Under this plan the dentist is paid for each service provided and the patient may be responsible for a deductible or co- payment for certain services as well as amounts above your annual maximum. In this type of plan a patient may be responsible for 10 – 30 percent of the actual service charge.

With fee-for-service plan a patient may visit any licensed dentist and change dentists at any time without notifying their insurance company. Sometimes these costs may be lower if you’re visiting a dentist that is a dentist sponsored by a particular insurance company. For example your costs may be lower when visiting a Delta dentist since Delta dentists agree to be bound by Delta's determination of the amount payable for services. Additionally a Delta dentist would handle all claim forms and other paperwork for you.

2. A variation of fee-for-service plan works almost in the same way where your dentist is paid for each service provided and you may be responsible for a deductible or co-payment for certain services as well as amounts above your annual maximum.

While you may visit any licensed dentist and change dentists at any time without notifying your insurance company you will maximize your benefits when visiting a dentist specified by your insurance company. These type of dentists are dentists who agree to provide treatment to their patients at reduced fees, which means your share of the bill will be lower. Additionally when you visit one of these dentists you don't pay the entire bill and wait for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Instead your insurance company will pay its portion directly to your dentist to make things easier for you. You will most likely get a notice explaining your portion of the bill, and you pay the dentist only that amount that is specified on the bill. Also, like with the basic type of coverage your paper work may be taken care by your dentist.