Dental insurance can be complicated and frustrating to navigate, especially because every plan is different. Our team at Arrowhead Dentistry wants to help you get the most out of your coverage and minimize out-of-pocket costs, which is why we’re happy to file claims on your behalf each time you see us. Below, we’ve included some helpful basics so you can understand your benefits a little better. If you have any questions, please call us!
Dental insurance primarily focuses on preventive care, which is maintaining a healthy smile by regularly visiting the dentist instead of only seeing the dentist whenever you have a problem. That’s why most plans cover 100 percent of the cost of basic preventive treatments, like bi-annual checkups and cleanings.
Most dental insurance plans also have an annual deductible and maximum. The deductible is a set amount of money that your plan requires you to pay before your benefits kick-in, and the maximum is a capped-off amount of money that your insurance will pay out for your treatments within a calendar year. It’s a good idea to know what these amounts are so you’re never surprised when you’ll be required to pay out-of-pocket for a service.
It’s important to note that no two dental insurance plans are the same, so benefits can vary dramatically from patient-to-patient. However, most plans determine coverage based on a 100-80-50 model. This means that they’ll cover 100 percent of the cost of preventive visits, like checkups and cleanings, 80 percent of basic treatments like cavity fillings, and 50 percent of more serious procedures such as tooth extractions.
We’re only in-network with Delta Premier, but we’re a dental insurance-friendly dental office and are happy to file claims for patients who are out-of-network. Our financial team files claims every day, so we’re well-versed on how to maximize our patients’ benefits as best as we can. If you have any questions or concerns about your dental insurance coverage, don’t hesitate to reach out!