With thousands of different dental plans available, it can be confusing to determine your coverage. Each plan has different deductibles and terms. It can feel overwhelming to make a decision about the dental benefits that will be right for you and your family. Some important things to remember include:
Dental insurance is not the same as medical – dental insurance can often reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, but rarely pays 100% on all procedures. Think of it like you would think of a discount and treat it accordingly. We can estimate your out-of-pocket expenses so that you can avoid surprises.
You may not be covered even if you need the procedure – Be sure to read the fine print in your plan before committing to a particular one. Sometimes there are waiting periods and limitations when it comes to insurance.
You may still have coverage even if you go out-of-network – If you have a dentist you really like and want to continue treatment in his or her office, you may still have decent coverage even in you are out-of-network.
Dental insurance has low maximums – Maximum coverage on your insurance plan will be in the low thousands with most plans covering only $1000-$2000 per year. If you need extensive work, you should keep this in mind.
Lack of coverage does not mean lack of necessity – Dental insurance is a contract, nothing more. Just because your insurance company does not cover a particular procedure does not mean that it’s not necessary.
Dental insurance rarely covers cosmetics – If you want to improve the appearance of your smile, most insurance companies will not cover cosmetic dentistry. Some procedures, however, may be covered. Dental bonding is often, but not always covered.
You get what you pay for – Many offices that participate with every insurance brand have to see a lot more patients in each day to keep their doors open. By choosing a dentist who focuses on your health needs instead of how many patients he or she can see in a day, you will be able to see your favorite doctor more consistently and develop a long-term relationship that supports your health.
For questions about your benefits, give us a call and we will be happy to help.