Whether you're evaluating your company's current dental benefits or preparing to offer a plan for the first time, choosing the best program can be a bit of a balancing act. The challenge of achieving this balance is made more difficult when you consider the options available in the dental benefits marketplace today.
Dental carriers typically offer one or more of three basic types of plans:
The original dental benefits plan and the one which continues to dominate the market is the fee-for-service plan. Under this type of plan, employers and/or their covered employees pay a monthly premium to an insurance carrier, which is responsible for reimbursing dentists for the services they provide. Fee-for-service plans allow employees the most freedom in choosing their dentists, which is why they remain a popular choice. If the main concern for you or the employees you're covering is the ability to choose a certain dentist, a fee-for-service plan is probably your best choice.
Dental preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are a good option for groups seeking lower cost advantages while providing enrollees with a high level of freedom of choice in selecting providers. Enrollees have the freedom to visit any dentist who is part of a network established by the dental benefits company or, for higher out-of-pocket costs, can visit any non-network dentist.
Dental health maintenance organizations (DHMOs) give subscribers access to a select group of dentists, with even greater cost savings. This type of program is a good choice for groups seeking lower costs with an emphasis on prevention and a pre-selected network of dentists from which to choose.
Whether it's a fee-for-service, PPO or DHMO plan, coverage of specific services can vary. Some dental benefits programs cover diagnostic and preventive services only. Others cover the full range of dental services, from preventive to basic and major care. (See below.)
Riders: Many insurers also offer riders for popular extras, like coverage for orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry. For a little additional cost, riders enable you to customize or supplement a basic dental benefits package.
In the end, finding the right dental benefits program is a combination of many factors. In addition to matching a plan with your company and employees, look closely at other issues such as cost management, rate stability, the network of participating dentists, ease of administration, customer service and company reputation.
Knowing what to ask and how to communicate your company's wishes makes it more likely your dental insurance will do what it's meant to do -- attract good employees and help them preserve their oral health.
Get in touch today and find out how we can help you meet your objectives.
