It is critical to understand what each dental plan covers to get the best coverage for your specific requirements. Dental insurance is good for those who desire a healthy mouth in the long run because preventative care is one of the things it covers. A Preferred Provider Organization Plan or PPO is one type of dental insurance.
In this blog, we will discuss how a PPO dental insurance plan works and how it is beneficial for all.
PPO plans have contracts with a network of dentists who have agreed to charge specific costs for established policies and procedures. Patients, on the other hand, can employ their benefits at any dentist, regardless of whether or not that dentist is part of their plan’s network.
Most PPO plans cover preventative maintenance appointments, screenings, and regular cleaning with no out-of-pocket expenses. Yet, before your coverage steps in, you may have to pay a reserve.
The annual maximum for most PPO plans is the highest dollar amount that the insurance company will pay out for authorized treatments in a calendar year. Typically, the maximum is approximately $1000.
In a PPO plan, patients can choose from a large network of dentists who have agreed to accept a set cost for treatments. This means that instead of charging the entire amount, they charge a discounted fee that is paid in full. Patients pay a portion of the discounted rate when they visit a PPO dentist, with the insurance company covering the rest.
Depending on the treatment, the proportion the patient pays is usually low and is only a portion of a discounted rate. As a result, PPO dental insurance plans generally have the cheapest out-of-pocket expenses.
The following procedures are covered broadly by most PPO policies.
| Preventative Care Services (full coverage): | Annual or semi-annual visits for cleanings X-rays Sealants Fluoride treatments |
| Basic Procedures with Discounted Co-Insurance Fee: | Treatment for Gum Disease Fillings Root canals Extractions |
| Major Procedures with Discounted Co-Insurance Fee: | Crowns Bridges Inlays Dentures Root Canals (on some plans) |
In addition to having more choice and power over your dental treatment, a PPO plan may save you financially based on the services you desire. You will always obtain the discounted rate and know what the costs are upfront because dentists have agreed to a cheaper fee.
