Delta Dental DPO vs PPO
If your benefits paperwork says Delta Dental DPO and you are comparing it to a Delta Dental PPO, you are not alone in being confused. DPO is not a standard Delta Dental plan name, and the label can mean different things depending on who wrote the document.
This guide explains what the DPO label usually means, how Delta Dental’s PPO, Premier and DHMO networks differ, and the one question that matters most: what happens when you see a dentist outside the network.
Key Takeaway
The real difference between a Delta Dental DPO and PPO is out-of-network coverage. A PPO usually pays something when you see an out-of-network dentist, while a plan labeled DPO may pay only in network. Your summary of benefits is the final word.
Quick Summary
✔DPO is a label, not a product. It is often shorthand for a Delta Dental PPO, or it may describe an in-network-only plan.
✔PPO dentists cost the least. Delta Dental PPO network dentists agree to lower negotiated fees.
✔Premier is a separate network. It is larger, but discounts are usually smaller than in the PPO network.
✔Always confirm your dentist. Check the directory and call the office before you book.
Compare Delta Dental and Other Dental Plans in Your Area
Delta Dental DPO vs PPO: The Key Differences
Delta Dental is made up of independent member companies across the country, and employers and brokers don’t always use the same labels. In most cases, “DPO” means one of two things:
DPO as Shorthand for PPO
✔Works exactly like a Delta Dental PPO
✔Lowest costs with PPO network dentists
✔Usually some out-of-network coverage
DPO as In-Network Only
✔Dental provider organization style plan
✔Pays only for in-network dentists
✔Out-of-network care may not be covered except emergencies
How to Tell Which One You Have
Open your summary of benefits and look for an out-of-network column or language about non-participating dentists. If out-of-network benefits are listed, it behaves like a PPO. If the plan says benefits are paid only to network dentists, it is in-network only.
Delta Dental PPO, Premier and DHMO Networks
Delta Dental runs several networks, and which ones your plan can use has a big effect on your costs. Learn more about Delta Dental insurance and how the company is organized.
| Network | How It Works | Typical Cost to You | Dentist Choice |
|---|
| Delta Dental PPO | Dentists accept lower negotiated fees | Lowest | Large network, plus out-of-network on most PPO plans |
| Delta Dental Premier | Traditional network with smaller fee discounts | Moderate | Very large network |
| DeltaCare USA (DHMO) | Set copays with an assigned network dentist | Low premiums and set copays | In network only |
| Out of Network | Plan pays its allowed amount and the dentist may bill the rest | Highest | Any dentist, if the plan pays out of network |
Network availability and plan designs vary by state and by Delta Dental member company.
Choosing Your Dentist and Network
1Check the directory. Search the Delta Dental provider directory for your state and plan.
2Call the office. Ask whether they are in the PPO network, the Premier network or both.
3Confirm out-of-network rules. Know whether your plan pays anything outside the network.
4Get an estimate for big work. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate before crowns, root canals or dentures.
See Delta Dental PPO and DHMO Options Near You
Compare Delta Dental Plan Costs and Coverage
The network label matters less than how the plan’s numbers fit the care you expect. Compare these before you choose. Our guide to Delta Dental PPO plans covers PPO benefits in more depth.
Premium
PPO plans usually cost more each month than DHMO
Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services and the head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 18 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
