MetLife dental plans: PPO, dental HMO and TakeAlong

MetLife offers a dental PPO, a dental HMO or managed care plan in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas, and TakeAlong Dental for people who lack a group plan. It also runs a federal plan and the Veteran Affairs Dental Insurance Program. Which ones you can buy depends on your employer, your eligibility and your state.

Yes. MetLife says the PPO lets you choose any licensed dentist, in or out of network. The catch is cost. You usually save more with a participating dentist, and MetLife says a non-participating dentist may bill the difference between the fee and the plan payment. Check the network before you book.

It is a general dentist or specialist who has agreed to accept negotiated fees as payment in full for covered services. MetLife's Find a Dentist directory lists names, addresses, specialties, languages spoken and phone numbers. Use it on the day you book, since offices join and leave networks over time.

MetLife's pages say the dental HMO or managed care plan is available only in California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Texas. It asks you to pre-select a participating dentist to get benefits. Outside those five states you would look at the PPO or another product. Confirm current availability with MetLife or your benefits office.

MetLife describes it as dental coverage you can buy on your own for you and your family and take from one job to the next. It is aimed at part-time employees and people who are not eligible for a group plan. Details such as networks, costs and covered services are in the plan materials.

MetLife says yes for larger treatment. Your dentist sends a claim form with the proposed plan to MetLife, and an explanation of benefits comes back to you and the dentist. Payments can still differ once annual maximums, deductibles and frequency limits apply, so treat it as a strong estimate and not a promise.

MetLife's PPO guide lists diagnostic X-rays, fillings, simple extractions, some root canals and root planing as basic. It lists impacted-tooth extractions, crowns, bridges, dentures and orthodontics as major, and notes that sedation may be treated as major. Your plan document decides how each procedure code is classified.

It depends on the plan. MetLife's PPO guide says orthodontic coverage depends on your plan and its maximum benefit. MetLife's group page mentions clear aligner therapy options with providers such as Invisalign and Bioliner. Ask the plan whether orthodontics is covered, for which ages, and whether it has its own limit.

MetLife's FAQ says you may use a health savings account to pay for dental copayments, deductibles and coinsurance, along with certain other out-of-pocket dental costs. Your HSA custodian and the IRS rules decide what qualifies. Check with your custodian before you rely on it for elective work.

MetLife says network offices provide instructions for emergency care at any hour. If you cannot reach your selected participating dentist, any licensed dental care professional may provide emergency care. Your policy or certificate defines what counts as an emergency, so save that definition where you can find it. For a life-threatening problem, call 911.

MetLife's group page says its PPO offers little to no out-of-pocket costs for cleanings, X-rays and in-network exams, and its FAQ says services such as routine cleanings, braces, fillings and other procedures are covered, with specifics varying by plan and provider. Your schedule of benefits lists the exact level for each service, so read it before you book.

MetLife says you can use its MyBenefits member portal and mobile app to view coverage details, get a dental ID card and get cost estimates. Its group page says you can track claims online and receive email alerts when a claim is processed. Keep the explanation of benefits for each claim with your treatment records.