Your decision to move forward with dental implants is one that is worth the time, money, and effort, but if you’re like most patients, the cost can be a significant factor. It might seem like a worthwhile investment in the long run but trying to come up with the money at the start of treatment can be difficult, especially if you don’t know whether your dental insurance company will help cover any of the required costs. Before you assume the worst and settle for less, read on to discover how your available benefits can provide the financial assistance you need before the end of the year.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
In most cases, no, you should not expect your dental insurance plan to cover the surgical component required to receive dental implants.
Unfortunately, too many companies believe this type of treatment is “non-medical” or “elective” because dentures and dental bridges can accomplish a similar goal without invasive surgery. However, what they don’t realize is that there is a significant oral health benefit that comes with dental implants.
Until a change occurs among the individuals working in the field of dental insurance, though, it can be difficult for patients to justify the cost that comes with these prosthetics. That is unless steps are taken to use available benefits to cover the expenses associated with other aspects of dental implant treatment, such as the consultation, any preliminary services to address poor oral health (i.e., gum disease treatment, tooth extraction, bone grafting, etc.), and the custom restoration.
How Can You Take Advantage of Available Benefits?
When enrolled with a dental insurance plan, you should consider that most benefits are only good for a single calendar year. This means you will need to use all available funds before they renew on January 1. To do this, you will need to make sure that you start the dental implant process early on.
Scheduling a consultation with your dentist at the start of the year can put you in a good place to meet your deductible and still have available funds to cover potential treatments along the way. Although your plan may not cover surgery, you can file claims for any preliminary restorative services you require as well as the custom restoration that must be crafted (i.e., crown, bridge, or denture).
You can work with your dental team to make sure all paperwork is properly filled out before submitting it to the insurance company, as this will give you the best chance of receiving the maximum reimbursement.
If the out-of-pocket expenses you incur are too much and/or you exceed the allotted annual maximum provided, you can ask about dental financing through companies like CareCredit, iCreditworks, and Proceed Finance.
Don’t let your dental insurance’s refusal to cover portions of your dental implant treatment keep you from getting the smile of your dreams. By working closely with local experts, you can lower your total costs and prepare for a more affordable oral healthcare journey.
About the Author
Dr. Jonathan Winfield is a board-certified prosthodontist in Reno who has helped countless patients regain their confidence with dental implants. Using advanced techniques and technologies to deliver successful results, he strives to make this updated approach to tooth replacement accessible and affordable to all individuals.
This is why at Smile Design Implant Centers, our team readily helps patients through the financial process, filing all claims so that the maximum reimbursement is obtained from the insurance company. If you are unsure how to get the most out of your plan, visit our website or call (775) 391-6636 to schedule an appointment.