Insurance and Billing
DHMO (dental HMO)
A DHMO is a dental HMO plan. You pick a network dentist who manages your care, and the plan pays that dentist a set monthly amount.
A dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) provides dental benefits at fixed dollar co-payments. You must go to a dentist in the network. The dentists are paid a monthly fee for each person who signs up and selects them, so claims are not filed for each service.
The ADA calls this a DHMO or capitation plan. Patients generally must receive treatment at a contracted office to get a benefit.
The trade-off is less choice of dentist. A PPO gives more choice. A copay schedule lists what each service costs you. A DHMO is a closed panel plan, so check that your dentist is in network. See the insurance and financing page for this office's information.