How to save | Choose a participating dentist (for consumers with dental insurance)
Some dental insurance plans, called "preferred provider organization" or "PPO" plans, offer better coverage
and lower dental prices when the policyholder chooses a dentist
that "participates" with the dental insurance company. According to a
Delta Dental study, over half of those covered by dental insurance in the US are covered by a PPO type plan. If you have
a PPO type dental insurance plan, you can save significant out of pocket costs by choosing a dentist that participates with
your dental insurance company.
Beware "Accept" versus "Participate"
Most dentists "accept" all dental insurance plans, which means they will submit dental insurance claims on your behalf and
credit payments from the insurance company against your bill. But unless your dentist "participates" you will not enjoy the
higher dental coverage level and lower dental prices your insurance company negotiated with dentists in their preffered provider
network.
Find out which dentists participate
Here are links to the
participating provider directories
of some major dental insurance companies. Alternatively, simply ask your dentist if she participates.
