There may come a time where you will want to change dentist. It may be because of a move or just wanting a second opinion. Regardless of the reason why you want to change to a new dentist, most PPO plans allow you to visit any licensed dentist. Although with PPO’s you usually save money by choosing a plan provider. Keep in mind though if you choose to visit a dentist outside of the dental PPO’s network, you may have to submit claims yourself and pay the entire bill up front. So make sure you know how the dentist will file and submit claims.

If however you are enrolled in an HMO which is a closed network dental plan, you must receive treatment from your selected primary dentist within the plan. Typically you can also change dental offices without to much issue but you have to still choose a dentist within the plan network of providers.

when seaching for a dental provider you may want to call the denal office to do futher reserch on the potential dental office. her are some questions you may want to ask

• Ask what is the dentist’s educational background and credentials?
• Ask what you should expect during the first exam?
• Will dental office staff review my treatment options and costs before work is done? It’s important to make sure you have the right information, including what is and is not covered by your dental insurance plan, before making treatment decisions.
• What are the dentist office’s hours, and how are patient emergencies handled outside regular hours?
• How has the dentist kept abreast of new developments in dentistry? Dentists and practice staff use continuing education courses, seminars and trade shows to learn about new techniques and technologies to make sure you have the best treatment options.
• Ask if they comadate any special needs you may have

If you are satisfied with the responses you have received, it’s time to make an appointment with the practice you think best meets your needs.

One of the best ways to find a list of dentists is by using the “Find a Dentist” tool on our website. Each plan we offer that has a network of providers we provide the link to search for dentist with the plan you are reviewing. If you have any questions about any of our dental insurance plan options or need help please call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am-4pm

Before you start your search for the right dentist. It is a helpful idea to have some basic criteria that is important to you.

• Location: Location can be key. Is the dental office located close to home, work or school? Have a close dental office will help you keep and maintain your dental appointments.
• Requirements Wanted: Are their any special needs or requirements you want in a dentist? For example, you many need a dentist who specializes in treating children or who has a handicap-accessible office if you have a disability. Is a dentist who can provide language services or translations a consideration?
• Type of Insurance Plan: Does your insurance plan require you to visit a network dentist? If you are in an open network plan, are the savings that a network dentist can provide important to you? If so, finding a contracted network dentist will be a top consideration.

Part of buying dental insurance is choosing a dentist. You may be able to keep your current dentist depending on the plan type you buy. but if you are new to the plan and do not have a dental provider then you may want to select an in-network dentist. For many people, choosing a new dentist comes down to simply polling friends and neighbors for a recommendation.

When you choose a new dentist, you are making an important decision for you and your family. You are entrusting a key part of your overall wellness to someone with whom you have had no prior experience with.

However, with some careful observations and a little homework can pay off with a successful patient-dentist relationship that will last for many years

One of the benefits of of having or buying a PPO dental insurance plan is that you can choose your own dentist even it it means going to a non plan provider

But what are the advantages of choosing a in Network Provider? There are a few benefits for seeing a plan provier (in network provider) of a PPO plan as listed below

1) Saving Money: Within many PPO insurance companies they have an agreement with their network dentist that they do not balance bill you more than their contracted fee. As an example. If you had a dental service with a 20% coinsurance amount you pay 20% of your dentist’s contacted fee. Non network providers can charge you their full fee for their services in the end possible costing you more

2) Pay Less up Front: With many PPO plans they pay your dentist directly, then sends you a notice explaining your portion of the bill. You pay the dentist only your portion of the services. This may not be the case with a non provider as they may want the cost for the services up front making yo pay in full then wait for premiums to be paid back to you by your insurance company. It is important to check however with in and out of network dental office how they process claims so you know what to expect.

3) Quality: With many PPO plans the insurance company in network providers are properly licensed and meet accepted standards for cleanliness and safety procedures.

With regards to deductible in your insurance plan you should know whether or not your insurance plan is based on a Calendar year or a Contact year.

Calendar year: is January through December, if your plan is based on a calendar year, you will pay your deductible once each calendar year.

Contract year: If your plan is based on a contract year (starts and ends during a different 12-month period), you will pay your deductible once each plan year.

It may take more than one dental care service or visit to satisfy your entire annual deductible, as some services might not count toward your annual deductible, such as diagnostic and preventive services, depending on the plan.

When your dentist submits a claim for a dental care service, your deductible is applied first, and then any coinsurance is calculated.

Question: My mom is 70 and need to have some dental work done. She has not been to a dentist in a very long time and I want her to get the dental care she has been putting off. I will be paying for her care since she has very little money of her own. So I would like to have some thing affordable where I can get most if not all her dental need met.

Reply: In California this web site offer many affordable dental insurance plans options. I suggest starting with the dental HMO plans we have available.

Dental HMO plan are low in cost and do not have as many limitations as the higher cost PPO dental plans. Look at the dental HMO plans that offer free preventive services. You see the first time your mom uses the plan they paid for themselves.

Question: I looking for free dental care where I can have a few teeth pull that are rotten and causing me a great deal of pain. I have no job and can not afford dental care. I am not sure where to find any free dental care to the under served. I get a little state help but nothing for dental care. Do you know of anything I can do?

Reply: Whether or not there are any free dental clinic near you I could not say you would have to try and google search for that. It is also important to know that “free” dental clinic may not always be free they sometimes base cost on your income and ability to pay. So make sure to ask them about how free is free for you. You may also want to look into seeing if you have any dental schools. They too sometimes charge sometime will provide services for free depending on the case. But worth looking into.

Are There Any Affordable Dental Insurance Policies Online?

Question: Are There Any Affordable Dental Insurance Policies Online. I am in need of having some dental work done on my teeth but do not currently have any dental benefits though my employer. I can only afford to buy dental insurance if I can get a plan that is under $25 a month. I live in California and I am only finding really costly dental insurance plans can you please help me find a dental plan within what I can afford.

Reply: In CA we offer many different types of dental insurance plans ranging in cost. In the cost range you stated you will want to review our dental HMO plans. Enter in your California zip code in the quote box provided at the top of the screen.

By providing your zip code you will be able to review all our dental plan options. For a low cost dental insurance plan fitting into your stated monthly buget

Affordable Dental Insurance for my son.

Question: I have a 23 year old son that is going to school full time and lives away from home. Right now he is only on my major medical and he does not have any dental care. He has nice teeth but I want to make sure he continues to take care of his oral health. Do you have any low cost dental insurance plans in New Jersey I could get for him so he can see the dentist regularly?

Reply: We offer a choice of two dental discount plan options in the state of New Jersey . They both start the next business day from signing up on line. Discount plans are not insurance but they do reduce your dental care cost hopefully making your son’s dental care needs more affordable.

Question: I am 30 and living in San Pedro, California. I have always had crooked but healthy teeth. I never like to smile much because of how my teeth look. I want to get braces and I feel I can budget it in but I need some help. Looking for a low cost dental plan that offer adult braces benefits without all the long waiting periods. Can you help me?

Reply: In California you have many good low cost dental HMO insurance plan that does offer adult braces. I suggest reviewing our HMO dental insurance plans as a starting point.

Are you covered for Adult Braces? More and more adults are wanting to correct their teeth with braces. Yet many dental insurance plans either do not offer benefits for braces, or do not offer benefits for adult braces.

That is why knowing your dental insurance plan is important. Many people get their dental benefits though their employment so when their dental plan does not offer adult braces they feel that they are stuck without any help on the on cost of having Orthodontic treatment since they are not going to cancel there current dental plan.

However that does not have to be your only choice. There are still many dental plans you can buy own your own that do offer adult braces. Many HMO plan offer adult braces however they are normally for your basic metal braces. As an adult you may want something less noticeable.

Therefore reviewing a dental discount plan may be a very good option in getting the dental saving you want for adult braces on a very low cost plan. There is no reason to pay full cost for adult braces just because you may have current dental insurance that does not provide coverage’s for adult braces. Take a moment to review our dental plan options for your adult braces needs. We are happy to help you if you have any questions please call our member services at 310-534-3444 CA time 8-5 M-F.