PPO vs. Premier - Does One Size Fit All?
Posted on September 19, 2017 in Insurance
PPO vs. Premier: These 2 plans are often confused in the insurance world. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to PPO vs. Premier plans:
Dental PPO
Dentists who participate in a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) have agreed to accept a lower payout for patient services. What does this mean for you? Lower out-of-pocket costs. You can also choose to visit any in-network dentist. Technically you can see dentists out-of-network, but you’ll likely have to pay more.
A PPO plan is the middle-of-the-road when it comes to dentist selection and cost savings. You have a choice to see any dentist in our PPO Network (40% of Iowa dentists), but not as many dentists as our Premier Network (90% of Iowa dentists).
Often deductibles and coinsurance are required, and service costs vary depending on class. For example, preventive services—like cleanings—may be covered at 100%, while major services—like implants—may be covered at 50%.
Premier
Delta Dental Premier dentist network includes 90 percent of the dentists in Iowa and 80 percent of the nation's dentists. These dentists have agreed to accept Delta Dental's set fees for dental procedures, and can't bill you above that amount.
However, if you have a PPO plan you may be able to see a Premier dentist. Most Delta Dental plans give you the option to see a Delta Dental Premier® network dentist or a PPO network dentist. In Iowa about 90 percent of the dentists participate in Premier and 40 percent participate in the PPO network. Keep in mind, you may have slightly higher out-of-pocket costs when you see a Premier vs. a PPO dentist.
Dental plans aren’t one size fit all. Different plans exist for different situations. Whether you choose PPO, Premier or otherwise, review each plan’s specifics to find the right coverage for you.
Searching for dental insurance coverage? Get enrolled today with Delta Dental of Iowa.
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