Fee-for-Service Plans or Indemnity

Compare the Different Types of Dental Plans

Fee-for-service plans or Indemnity plans

Brief overview:

Fee-for-service plans, also known as Indemnity plans, allow you to visit the dentist of your choice. The dentist does not have to be participating in a network.

When you receive treatment or care from a dentist, you will only pay a set percentage of the fee. The rest of the fee is paid to the dentist by the insurance plan.

What you pay:

The percentage you pay will vary depending on the type of treatment you are having:

Preventive treatment, such as cleaning, may be covered at 80%.
This would mean you only pay 20% of the fee.

Restorative treatment, such as a crown or bridge, may be covered at 50%.
This would mean you only pay 50% of the fee.

Fee-for-service plans usually require you to pay your part of the fee first (the ‘deductible’) before they pay the rest.

Sometimes, for preventive treatment, you won’t have to pay the deductible.

Advantages Advantages:

DHMO plans do not usually have deductibles or maximums.

Dentists in the network have gone through a rigorous credentialing process to be considered for participation.

Advantages Be aware that:

MetLife offers DHMO or pre-paid plans only in specific states.

If you visit a dentist other than your assigned primary care dentist, you will have to pay the full cost of treatment.

Specialty care that you are referred for may require preauthorization.

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