I'm hoping I don't misunderstand it too badly either. If I remember correctly, I last asked about (and researched) the subject about 15 years ago, when I was looking at paying for a root canal that I might need before I could properly afford it. My dentist looked at the x-rays and decided he'd better send me to a specialist. Unlike my dentist, the specialist didn't extend credit.

I don't remember exactly how the numbers added up, but my co-payments for various services were going to be around 80% of what my dentist normally charged. It wouldn't have made sense for the insurer to select dentists who'd charge more than normal, so I figured they had to be settling for a bit less than normal. The insurer might make up part of the difference between what I paid and what the dentists received, but they'd have to take something for themselves or they wouldn't be able to stay in business.

I think that particular plan would have been a slightly better deal for me if I were going to get lots of crowns, root canals, gum surgery, and other expensive stuff, but I'd just have been spending 80% of a whole lot (plus the plan premiums) instead of the full whole lot.

I have reason to think that the plan I'm applying for now may be a better deal. For one thing, it's being offered as a supplement to something that's partly subsidized by federal programs.