Dental Savings
Stay in the network and save!
When you visit a general dentist or a specialist who is in the network, your out-of-pocket costs are usually lower. That’s because participating dentists have agreed to accept negotiated fees that are usually 30-45% less than the average charges in the same community.1 Lower fees can help you cut your final costs and stretch your annual maximums.
You can view your potential savings on in-network vs. out-of-network fees by using the Dental Procedure Tool 2 located on metlife.com/mybenefits. Take a look at the dental savings example below which shows you how much you could save by going to an in-network specialist.
Specialist average charge3 in the New York, NY area for an implant specialty service is $1,700 – $2,100.
| In-Network | Out-of-Network | |
|---|---|---|
| MetLife Negotiated Fee | $1,459 | NA |
| MetLife Pays4 (based on 50% coinsurance amount for this type of service) |
$729.50 | $850 – $1,050 |
| Your Out-of-Pocket Cost5 | $729.50 | $850 – $1,050 |
The chart above is a typical example of average in-network savings.Your savings may differ.
Approximate savings from visiting a participating dentist: $120.50 – $329.505
Your savings is the difference between the in-network out-of-pocket cost and the out-of-network out-of-pocket cost.
The chart above is a typical example of average in-network where your savings may differ. It shows that you usually save more when you stay in the network. This example assumes that any deductibles have been met and the annual maximum benefit has not been reached. So the next time you need dental care, find out what your plan covers and what you could save by going to a participating general dentist or specialist.
To check your coverage or find a general dentist or specialist, log in to metlife.com/mybenefits or call 888-309-5526. You can also ask your dentist to recommend a network specialist in your community.
Best of all, participating dentists and specialists have undergone a careful selection process6.
1 Based on internal analysis by MetLife. Negotiated fees refer to the fees that participating dentists have agreed to accept as payment in full for covered services rendered by them, subject to any copayments, deductibles, cost sharing and benefits maximums. Negotiated fees are subject to change.
2 The Dental Procedure Fee Tool application is provided by an independent vendor. This tool does not provide the payment information used by MetLife when processing your claims. Prior to receiving services, pretreatment estimates through your dentist will provide the most accurate fee and payment information.
3 Approximate costs provided by an industry source independent of MetLife.
4 This example reflects an in-network coinsurance amount of 50 percent and an out-of-network coinsurance amount of 50 percent for major services.
5 The potential savings is based on the average charges. Actual savings for services rendered by an out-of-network dentist will vary depending on the dentist’s actual charge for the service.
6 Certain providers may participate with MetLife through an agreement that MetLife has with a vendor. Providers available through a vendor are subject to the vendor’s credentialing process and requirements, rather than MetLife's. If you should have any questions, contact MetLife Customer Service.
Like most group benefit programs, benefit programs offered by MetLife and its affiliates contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force.
Please contact MetLife or your plan administrator for complete details.