How It Works
- Most team members can choose from two dental plan options: the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan and Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) Plan*, both administered by Aetna.
- Both plans pay 100% for preventive services. For other dental services, the benefits and out-of-pocket costs differ by plan.
- Team members who enroll in the Aetna DMO must select a primary care dentist (PCD).
Dental Snapshot
Who is eligible?
- Regular full-time team members
- Regular part-time team members working 30-39 hours per week
- Regular part-time team members working fewer than 30 hours (must pay full cost of coverage)
- Review the benefits eligibility details and see which dependents are eligible.
Your costs
Grainger pays the larger share of your dental costs. You pay your share in two ways:
- Premium contributions: You pay a portion of the dental insurance premium through pretax deductions from your pay. The amount depends on the plan you choose and your coverage tier.
- Out-of-pocket costs: If and when you receive care, you will pay a portion of those expenses through an annual deductible and/or coinsurance.
- When choosing a dental plan, look at the total cost – premiums plus out-of-pocket costs. Premiums are fixed, but out-of-pocket costs vary depending on whether you use your benefits a little or a lot.
What to do
- For both plans, compare your cost for coverage and your out-of-pocket costs for dental services.
- If you enroll in the DMO, you must elect a primary care dentist for you and every covered family member. Confirm your provider participates or locate a provider in your area using Aetna’s provider directory.
- Take advantage of twice-yearly dental cleanings, paid at 100% with either the PPO or DMO.
- Consider using a Flexible Spending Account to reduce the amount you pay for dental expenses.
Plans at a Glance
Here’s a high-level look at how the PPO and DMO dental plans compare on several key features.
| | PPO Plan | DMO Plan |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual Deductible |
You pay $25 per individual |
You pay $0 |
|
Choice of Providers* |
Choose in-network providers for discounted rates |
You must use the DMO primary care dentist you select when you enroll. |
| Balance billing | Out-of-network providers may bill you for the difference between their charges and the amount Aetna covers. | Not applicable |
|
Preventive Services |
Plan pays 100% |
Plan pays 100% |
|
Basic Restorative Services |
Plan pays 80% |
Plan pays 100% |
|
Major Restorative Services |
Plan pays 50% |
Plan pays 60% |
|
Maximum Benefit |
Plan pays $1,750 |
No limit |
|
Orthodontic Services |
Plan pays 50% |
Plan pays 60% |
|
Maximum Lifetime Orthodontic Benefit |
$2,000 |
24 months of comprehensive orthodontic |
*The DMO Plan is not offered in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont or Wyoming.
Note: Benefits may differ for team members outside the continental U.S.
