Choosing a Dental Plan That is Right for You
Federal health insurance plan members have the opportunity to change coverage every year from mid-November to mid-December. During this time, you can choose from different dental carriers that offer various benefits and costs. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are some factors to consider.
Scroll to Explore
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Different Plan Types
An Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan may include predictable, pre-determined fees designed for transparency. There is a specific cost, known as a copayment, listed for each covered service performed by an in-network dentist. If you know the dental procedures you need to have completed, you will know exactly how much you will pay for your dental care before you even go to your in-network dentist.
A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan covers procedures as a co-insurance percentage. With a PPO plan, your out-of-pocket costs may not be obvious and will require you to obtain additional cost details from your dentist. For example, a major service like a denture may be covered at 50%. To calculate your actual cost, you will need to determine how much your dentist will charge you for that procedure under the contracted arrangement with the dental plan.
Many dental carriers provide a comparison tool that will allow you to compare features and your cost for specific procedures. Compare costs and copays for standard and high Dominion National EPO plans here.
Anticipated Dental Services for the Upcoming Year
It is helpful to understand your specific dental needs in order to make an informed decision. FEDVIP offers standard and high-option plans. If you know you will need major dental work done, you might want to select a high-option plan that may cover more of the cost for major restorative procedures. If you need only preventive dental care, a standard option plan may make more sense.
Also, look for limitations such as annual maximums or orthodontic lifetime maximums, to ensure that you are not paying out-of-pocket after you’ve reached a plan’s limit.
Lastly, check whether the plan has any waiting periods that may be a barrier to receiving immediate dental care.
Access to Care
Verify that your dentist is part of your dental plan. If you have long-term loyalty to your dentist, you will want to confirm that your dentist is in the network. If you're selecting a new dentist, review the plan’s network to ensure the dentist's office is near your home or office. Most plans offer an online provider search. You may also want to confirm participation with the provider’s office.
Dominion National’s EPO plans have an expanded network where enrollees may receive services from any in-network dentist without having to select a primary care dentist. Both plans cover out-of-area emergency care.
PPO plans allow you to receive services from any dentist, but it is often more cost-effective to use an in-network dentist. Dominion National has over 9,500 dental providers in the FEDVIP EPO network1. Check out Dominion’s provider search tool. If your dentist is not listed, you can nominate them for consideration in the Dominion network. Dominion’s provider search also includes ratings to help you choose a dentist that meets your needs.
Other Value-Added Services
When choosing your dental plan, don’t forget to look at other value-added services and discounts that may be available with your plan. For example, Dominion National offers discounts on Invisalign, premium oral care products offered by Z Dental and teeth whitening procedures. Dominion also covers teledentistry services through an innovative app that allows enrollees to receive a dental consultation without leaving their homes or office.
Rates
Last but not least, during open enrollment, it is important to compare the monthly premium for each plan. Affordability is important. Oral health doesn’t have to be expensive. Many insurance companies offer low-cost plans that entirely or mostly cover the costs for oral exams, cleanings, fillings, and X-rays.
Enjoy Premium Dental Care
Dominion National offers EPO dental plans for federal employees and retirees with competitive rates. Dominion provides extensive coverage at pre-determined fees with no annual maximums, deductibles or waiting periods. Dominion National’s standard and high plans also offer an innovative Prevention Rewards Program, in which each family member who receives two cleanings during the plan year from a participating Dominion network dentist receives a $20 office copay reimbursement.
1 Dominion National Network Growth Report, 2023. Includes DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA and VA. Participating dentists are subject to change.