I was looking at the Delta Dental HMO plan in California. I wanted to know how it works—besides picking a dentist in the network, which I know is required. What other things should I know about getting an HMO dental plan?

Do I have to pay in full and wait for a refund? I would like to know since that was the last plan I had thought work was like. I did not like paying the dentist in full and then waiting a month for my money back. It was good coverage, but I did not always have the money at the time I needed dental work.

Reply:  Thank you for your question about California’s Delta Dental HMO plan. With an HMO dental plan, you must choose a dentist within the network, and your service cost is based on a predetermined fee schedule. This means that you will know upfront what your out-of-pocket costs will be for each covered service, which can help you budget your dental care. 

Unlike other plans that require you to pay the full fee upfront and then wait for reimbursement, with an HMO plan, you will only be responsible for your portion of the cost at the time of service. This can be a significant advantage if you don’t have the funds to pay for dental work upfront. 

It’s important to note that with an HMO plan, you may have some restrictions on the services you can receive and the providers you can see. However, an HMO plan can be an excellent choice if you are looking for an affordable dental plan with predictable costs.