What’s the Difference Between DHMO & PPO Dental Insurance?

What’s the Difference Between DHMO & PPO Dental Insurance?

Paying for dental bills can be cumbersome for a lot of people, so you might be looking into your dental insurance options. 

Two popular plans are HMO and PPO, but if you’re having trouble choosing between them, check out this short article to understand their key differences. 

What Are PPO Insurance Plans?

PPO plans are a highly flexible type of dental insurance that allows you to choose your dentist or dental practice with ease. They usually have a larger provider network, allowing patients to switch between specialists even without a referral.

However, these plans usually have a higher premium and require insurers to meet a deductible.

Pros of PPO Plans

• High levels of flexibility to choose a dentist or practice
• One of the best networks of providers
• Can offer partial reimbursement even if you see a dentist outside the network
• You don’t need a referral to visit a specialist
• You don’t have to choose a primary dentist

Cons of PPO Plans

• Most plans come with a deductible
• Copays may be high, though it depends on your specific plan
• Higher premiums compared to other plans

What Are DHMO Plans?

DHMO plans are a type of insurance that focus heavily on preventative care and provide low-cost coverage. They are designed to encourage people to get more routine dental services and prevent damage as a way to minimize risks.

These plans will require you to choose a primary dentist, then any other specialist you might need to see will require a referral. Also, you are limited to in-network dentists exclusively.

Pros of DHMO Plans

• Lower premiums 
• Minimum or no copay for preventative care
• No deductible

Cons of DHMO Plans

• Smaller network
• Can’t see out-of-network dentists
• Has lots of restrictions on the number of visits, tests, and even the types of treatments

Which Type of Dental Insurance Is Better?

Choosing the right type of insurance often comes down to personal preference. In the case of PPO and DHMO, they both have their pros and cons. 

DHMO is great if you’re looking for a more affordable plan and don’t mind being restricted as to which dentists you see, or even the number of visits covered.

On the other hand, if you want more flexibility and even the chance to see specialists outside your network even without a referral, then PPO is the better plan. It’s crucial to consider your specific needs and choose a plan that matches your specific situation best.

Have a PPO Plan? Schedule a Visit!

No matter if you’re looking for preventative, restorative, or even cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Rima Kanbaragha is here to help you get a happy, healthy, and stunning smile!

And if you have a PPO plan, even better!

Request a visit to Dentazure online, or call us at (703) 875-2200 today if you have more questions about your PPO plan or our services.