HMO Dental Insurance Plans

As awareness about oral health is spreading, every second person is opting for a good dental insurance plan. And the two most common and recommended dental insurance plans are: HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans.
The plans under HMO are limited to a specific group of physicians under a common network and it is more cost-effective. Whereas in PPO, one can choose any provider whether they are within or outside of the organization's network and the price is negotiated accordingly. 

In this blog, we will explore all about HMO dental insurance plans. So, let’s dive in!

How Does Dental HMO Work?

As a part of the HMO dental insurance, dentists sign a contract that mentions all the services that are covered along with their prices. This allows the insurance companies and members to have clarity on the services and avoid any disputes related to the claims.

HMO is usually chosen by the people who are looking for basic dental services like teeth cleaning. The reason behind this is getting bigger dental issues fixed requires an experienced dentist and since HMO doesn’t give the liberty to choose a dentist, it’s better to choose it for basic dental services.

Dental professionals are paid a fixed amount every month for each patient. They also receive a separate payment for services that are not covered by the insurance.

Perks Offered by an HMO Dental Insurance Plan

1. The biggest advantage of an HMO plan is the lower cost. The dentists are signed to an agreement for a specific charge for each service, so the lower costs are passed on to the member. Also, there may be several benefits in terms of saving tax. But this depends on who the insurance provider is.
2. An HMO plan follows a prepaid plan structure, unlike a PPO dental insurance plan. This helps in having clarity about the services that will be offered and the amount of money that is spent. Whereas you can expect higher out-of-pocket expenses if you go for a PPO plan as the pricing is decided by having negotiations between the participating dentists and the insurance company. 
3. There are no deductibles included in HMO plans. The only expense that has to be considered is the copayment that will be required to make when receiving dental care. (A deductible is an amount that must be paid before the insurance begins to pay for eligible healthcare services. Co-pays are usually charged after the deduction is done.)

HMO dental insurance plans are an excellent choice for people who are on a budget as most of these plans are affordable. But, while choosing a plan, it is important to know the dentists that are a part of the network as unlike in a PPO dental insurance plan, there isn’t the liberty to choose a dentist. With a little research, anyone can make the best out of an HMO dental insurance plan!