FAQ’s about Insurance

What is Dental Insurance?

Dental procedures are usually covered by dental insurance not medical insurance.  Dental insurance is a contract between you or your employer and a dental insurance company. The benefits that you will receive are based on the terms of the contract that were negotiated between you or your employer and the dental insurance company and not your dental office. The goal of most dental insurance policies is to provide only basic care for specific dental services. The services selected are based on the cost of the policy and to you or your employer and the negotiated arrangements with the dental insurance company. The selection of non-covered services is not based on what you need or want, but is based strictly on the contract with the insurance company. This is why so many dental patients become confused about dental insurance. Dental insurance companies rarely cover 100% of any dental fee and, in many cases, cover less than 50% or nothing at all.

Covered & Non-Covered Services

Unfortunately, some of the services that you may need or want will not be covered by your dental insurer. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain optimal dental care, which is not necessarily the goal of your dental insurance company. We do not want to compromise your care based on restrains placed by an insurance company.

How Our Office Helps

Our office will do everything possible to help you understand and make the most of your dental insurance benefits. We realize that dental insurance is complex and that it is extremely difficult to understand how to make it work or even to work with certain dental insurance companies. That is why we provide full assistance to you.

Pre-Determination Policies

In most cases, we can begin treatment prior to receiving an authorization from the dental insurance company. However, patients need to understand that in the event the dental insurance company refuses to pay for treatment, you are responsible for all fees. Naturally, we always provide you with there full fees in advance so that you know the exact cost of the treatment as best as we can determine.

Elective Treatment

Some services are not typically covered by insurance companies. The include cosmetic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, implants, occlusion or bite redesign, and other services. Although these are important dental services that can greatly enhance the quality of life of our patients, dental insurance companies do not feel that they should have to pay for these services. That is why these services are rarely included in contracts.

Ask Us For Help Any Time

Any time you have a question about your dental insurance, please feel free to ask us. We recognize that dental insurance is complex and difficult to understand. Keep in mind that the dental insurance companies are not concerned about coverage for optimal dental care, but provide coverage for only a limited number of basic services.