Learning that you need a treatment plan consisting of multiple procedures can feel overwhelming on its own. Throw in the matter of having to figure out what your dental insurance will actually cover, and it can be downright anxiety-inducing. Fortunately, navigating these waters doesn’t have to be a hassle.
Before committing to a large treatment plan, a conversation with your dental team and a review of your dental insurance policy, including annual maximum, coverage for various procedures, and financing options, like with CareCredit®, can help clarify and minimize your out-of-pocket cost.
Why Insurance Estimates Are Just That
Dental insurance contracts exist between you and your insurance provider. This means that your dentist can only estimate what your plan will cover, not guarantee it. From one policy to another, coverage percentages vary based on procedure type. Typically, a significant portion of preventive care is covered, while major work like crowns, implants, or root canals is covered at a lower percentage, or sometimes not at all.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Commit
Before moving forward with a treatment plan, it helps to understand a few key details about your policy:
- What is your annual maximum?
- How much of it have you already used this year?
- What percentage does your plan cover for different procedures?
- Are there waiting periods for certain treatments?
- Does your plan exclude certain procedures entirely?
In-Network vs. Out-of-Network Coverage
Bagley Family Dental is in-network with a number of major insurance carriers, including Delta Dental, Cigna, United Healthcare, MetLife, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, even if your specific plan isn't in-network, you may still be able to use your benefits with us, though your out-of-pocket costs may be different.
When Insurance Doesn't Have You Covered
For treatment that exceeds what your insurance covers, or for procedures like dental implants that many plans exclude altogether, financing with CareCredit offers a way to break the remaining cost into manageable monthly payments. For qualifying patients, this may even mean interest-free options!
Have Questions About Your Coverage or Payment Options?
Rather than guessing at your coverage, it pays to have your dental office’s financial coordinator review your specific plan and provide a detailed cost estimate before treatment begins. This clarity upfront makes it easier to proceed with confidence that no nasty surprises are waiting for you down the road.
So, if you’re in Greeley and want to walk through your insurance benefits and financing options before embarking on a treatment plan, contact Andrew Bagley and the caring and helpful Bagley Family Dental team to schedule a consultation.