Dental Insurance Coverage Frequently Asked Questions   Is dental PPO plan better than dental HMO insurance plans?   What is a dental discount plan?   What is the fastest way to get dental coverage?   What is a co-payment?   What is an annual maximum coverage of dental insurance benefit?   What is the dental insurance deductible?   Is dental PPO plan better than dental HMO insurance plans? The simple answer is yes. The most important difference between quality of these two plans root in the system they follow to reimburse doctors and dentists. Since dental PPO plans have a more generous reimbursement plan and better dental coverage in general, you can expect to get much more in both quality and flexibility out of a dental PPO plan. A dental PPO plan may be more costly in the short run, but the improved quality of service in general compensates for the difference in most cases. Back to the top What is a dental discount plan? A dental discount plan is in definition not a real dental insurance plan. There is no actual coverage or payment from a discount plan to a dentist. However a dental discount plan can be a very valuable alternative to traditional dental insurance and specially a dental HMO plan. Basically the way a dental discount plan works is that you will receive a significant discount on your treatment from your dentist. So if you don't have dental insurance benefit and paying out of pocket for your dental expenses, one of your best options can be a dental discount plan. You can click on the link above to see a comparison of different dental discount plans available in your area.     Back to the top  What is the fastest way to get dental coverage? If you already don't have any dental coverage or benefit to pay for a "pre-existing condition" your best choice is to sign up for a dental discount card (plan). These plans usually don't have any waiting period or exception for dental coverage of your needs even if you have a urgent need at the time of enrollment. A list of available discount plans can be found by clicking below.     Back to the top  What is a co-payment? A co-payment is the portion of the dentist's fee that you need to pay to the dentist directly. The amount is determined by your insurance company, based on the contract between them and you or your employer. If you have a dental PPO plan and you are going to a in-network dentist, the co-pay is the amount between what insurance pays your dentist and the total amount of the contracted fee for the procedure performed. If you are going to an out of the network dentist, the co-pay is usually the difference between what your insurance pays the dentist and his UCR (usual and customary) fees. Back to the top   What is an annual maximum coverage? Almost all dental PPO plans have an annual maximum amount. This amount which is usually a number between $1000 to $2000 is the maximum amount the insurance company will cover for each calendar year. In other words it is the total amount of the benefit the insurance company will pay toward your dental treatments each calendar year. Back to the top  What is the dental insurance deductible? This is the amount that you have to pay before your dental insurance benefit would kick in. Most dental PPO plans have a small deductible around $50. Back to the top