Dental Insurance Articles
Dental HMOs And How They Affect Dental Insurance Quotes
2010-08-25
What is a dental HMO, or health maintenance organization, and how does it affect dental insurance quotes? This is a question that is increasingly on consumers' minds as they pore over the vast amount of information readily available both online and offline about available dental insurance today. The dental HMO is a newer entrant to the dental insurance marketplace. Often referred to as a discount dental plan, the dental HMO provides the most services for the least cost, allowing individuals who might not otherwise be able to have dental coverage, afford a cost effective and useful dental policy.
With a dental HMO quote, the major difference from other dental insurance quotes is that the pricing that is quoted is negotiated in a unique way. The insurance provider arranges to contract with a set of dental care providers who agree to provide a range of services for a set fee. The insurance company considers these dental care professionals to be its network of providers. Individuals insured under a dental HMO agree to use these providers for all their dental care needs, in exchange for which they pay only their policy's monthly premiums and sometimes a small co-payment for certain services. If a co-payment is required, this will be disclosed up front at the time the quote is generated. This arrangement is good for all three parties-the dental care providers, the insurance provider, and the insured-because the dentist has lots of patients, the insurance provider has lots of clients, and the insured has dental care from quality dentists at an affordable price.
The dental HMO provides all of the same services as other dental plans, but the pricing structure is different. Basic care is covered at no cost, including routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, dentist consultation and basic X-rays one to two times per year. Need-based care, such as fillings and root canals and more extensive procedures, such as crowns and bridges, have a slightly higher pricing structure. Elective procedures such as teeth whitening and caps generally are not covered in any dental plan unless they relate to a necessary medical procedure. This is the same whether the quote is for an HMO or another type of dental care policy.
The new found popularity of dental HMOs has affected dental insurance quotes across the board and changed the structure of what people expect and how they search for dental insurance online and offline. The access to inexpensive, streamlined dental services has caused competition for some of the more expensive plans like preferred provider and indemnity plans, and the dental industry as a whole is restructuring around the existence of the HMO for dental care.