The Difference Between PPO & DHMO Insurances

Dental insurance plans can get confusing. There are a lot of options and new terminologies to learn. Troy Bartels, DDS accepts a wide range of insurance plans. One of the questions we get a lot is the difference between Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) insurance plans. Today we’re going to break it down for you.

What Are the Main Differences?

There are two factors you should consider when choosing between a PPO and DHMO plan. The first factor is dentist choice. DHMO plans pre-select dentists you can choose to go to for oral care. PPO plans gives you more flexibility in choosing which dentist to use. The second factor is the cost. DHMO plans are low cost and often have little or no copayments. PPO plans have higher premiums in comparison.

Let’s Take a Closer Look at What Each Plan Offers:

PPO dental insurance plans

There are more out-of-pocket costs associated with PPO. You will most likely pay a higher premium and possibly meet a deductible. There may also be a limit on how much the insurance is willing to cover annually. The trade-off is that you have a more extensive network of dentists to choose from, and you can easily switch dentists or see a specialist.

DHMO dental insurance plans

DHMO seems more affordable, up-front. Premiums tend to be lower, there’s usually no deductible, and copayments are at a minimal price. Sometimes there’s even no copayment needed. You have a limited selection of dentists to choose from because you have to stay within your network. If you need to see a specialist, you will need a referral from your primary care dentist. This can be a nuisance to some people. However, if the network covers your preferred dentist, this may not be an issue for you.

Bartels Discount Plan

Another option to consider when deciding on how to pay for your family’s dental care is to forgo traditional insurance and enroll in our own dental savings plan. We offer individual, couple or family plans for an annual fee. There are none of the inconveniences associated with traditional insurance like pre-approvals, deductibles or waiting periods. Each individual enrolled in the plan will receive two routine cleanings, dental exams and cancer screenings. Also included are two fluoride treatments, one set of X-rays and one panoramic image. The 15% discount offered on other services is an added bonus.

We’re Here to Help

At Troy Bartels, DDS, we are committed to providing high-quality care at a fair price. We are an insurance friendly office and our team is incredibly knowledgeable about dental insurance. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your benefits. We can assist you in finding out what your benefits are before scheduling an appointment. Please contact our Jonesboro, AR team if you have any questions about your insurance or if you’d like more information about the Bartels Discount Plan.

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