The new alternative insurance plans such as: - Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
and others like them are simply DISCOUNT PLANS. All these type plans require participating dentists to discount their fees on average between 35% and 45%. Another word concerning alternative insurance plans Although this is a "different" type of dental insurance, some basics NEVER change. In any insurance plan there are four parties involved - the PATIENT, EMPLOYER, INSURANCE COMPANY and DENTIST. In discount plans
a. The PATIENT enjoys the lower costs for the "same" care.
b. The EMPLOYER enjoys the fact that they can still stand in front of their employees and tell them they have dental insurance (at less cost to them)!
c. The INSURANCE COMPANY still make their same profit
d. The DENTIST absorbs the loss. But, Don't think it is in the doctor salary! Practically all loss is made up in quality of care.
*Less expensive materials are used.
* Less time is allowed per patient per procedure.
* Etc, etc. It is a very simple decision in regards to these type plans. Do I wish to discount my fees so that more new patients are "guaranteed"?? No, I (and other dentists like myself), would rather do the absolute best we can, and not hurry a large number of people through the office. I have personally seen what can result from quick treatment in some of these plans. | 
