Dental indemnity plan

A traditional, fee-for-service plan with no network. Cigna says you can typically see whatever dentists you want, without a primary dentist, and MetLife says the plan reimburses for covered services based on usual fees. You usually pay first and file for reimbursement. These plans generally cost more in premiums.

No. Cigna says there is no network, and MetLife says you can see any dentist you prefer without limits. That means no negotiated fees. UnitedHealthcare lists no network discounts among indemnity features. You pay the dentist's fee and the plan reimburses a share of what it considers usual and customary.

It is the fee level an indemnity plan treats as normal for a service, as Cigna and MetLife describe. The plan reimburses up to that amount, so if your dentist charges more, you pay the difference. Ask how the plan sets it. See the entry on usual, customary and reasonable fees.

Usually. MetLife says you usually must file claims to receive reimbursement, and that you bear the entire cost up front. Some offices file for you as a courtesy. Ask the office and the plan before treatment, and keep the itemized statement and receipts.

Generally. Cigna says they tend to cost a bit more, and MetLife says they often cost more than HMOs and PPOs. Compare the premium, deductible, coinsurance and annual maximum, and estimate your likely care under each. A PPO can offer a similar choice at lower cost.

Usually. Cigna says an indemnity plan usually has an annual deductible and coinsurance: you pay until the deductible is met, then share costs up to the usual, customary and reasonable amount. Check your schedule of benefits for the amounts and for which services the deductible applies to.

Often. Cigna says you may not need referrals to see specialists or to receive emergency dental care, depending on the plan. Check your own plan's rules, and ask what the plan would pay for the specific specialist before you book.

It can be, because there is no network to stay inside. Cigna says you can typically see whatever dentists you want. You may pay up front and wait for reimbursement, so ask how claims from out of town are handled, and what documents are required.

An indemnity plan is insurance and reimburses part of covered services. A discount plan is not insurance, and it pays nothing toward the bill. Ameritas, MetLife and Anthem describe the difference. Ask which product you are being offered, and read the terms.

It depends on the plan. Coverage for orthodontics, implants and cosmetic work varies by plan and is set out in the schedule of benefits, and many plans exclude or cap them. Ask the insurer for its written position on the specific procedure codes before treatment.

Ask how it sets its usual and customary fees, the deductible, the coinsurance, the annual maximum, the waiting periods and how quickly it reimburses. Ask for sample reimbursements for services you expect, and compare with a PPO quote.

Less common than PPOs. UnitedHealthcare and Guardian say most plans are PPOs, and Ameritas lists indemnity among several designs. Availability depends on your employer and state. Ask your benefits administrator which designs are offered, and compare them.