Dental Insurance Rogers
Put Your Dental Insurance to Good Use
The American Dental Association recommends visiting the dentist at least twice per year for a routine checkup and cleaning. If you have dental insurance and make an appointment with an in-network dentist, the cost of these visits is zero. Zilch. Nada. Thanks to this (and other benefits), dental insurance makes receiving oral care much easier for many patients and families. That’s why we’re happy to work with a variety of dental insurance plans in Rogers. Give us a call today and see how we can help you put your dental insurance to good use!
How Dental Insurance Works
Dental insurance can be incredibly useful – and also incredibly confusing. Each plan (even when provided by the same dental insurance company) is unique, which can make it difficult to estimate your out-of-pocket expenses before your treatment consultation.
However, there are a few basic principles that tend to be standard across different plans, and understanding them can help you understand your benefits. Here’s what you should know:
- Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance prioritizes preventive Thus, checkups and cleanings, diagnostic X-rays, and similar services usually receive 90% - 100% coverage.
- This also means that the average coverage provided for “restorative” treatments is between 50% and 80%.
- “Elective” treatments that fall under the cosmetic dentistry umbrella are not typically covered. Depending on the plan, though, orthodontics like Invisalign may receive some coverage.
- For restorative and orthodontic coverage to be applied to your bill, you first have to meet your plan’s deductible. Most plans cover checkup and cleaning appointments regardless of whether you meet the deductible or not.
What Is the Difference Between Dental & Medical Insurance?
The main difference between dental and medical insurance is that medical insurance typically applies when you need major treatment or ongoing care. The thought process behind dental insurance benefits is that since consistent, preventive care decreases the risk of oral conditions so dramatically, providing the most coverage for those types of services helps patients avoid developing major problems.
You might notice that the monthly premium for dental insurance is much lower than most medical insurance premiums. This is also by design – for many patients, the cost of dental insurance is negligible, particularly when its provided by an employer.
In-Network VS. Out-of-Network
If you have a PPO plan (most people do), another way your dental insurance benefits can vary is whether you visit an “in-network” dentist or an “out-of-network” dentist.
In-Network Coverage
Dentists who are considered “in-network” with your dental insurance plan have negotiated with your insurance provider about treatment costs and coverage rates. If you visit your dental insurance provider’s website, there’s likely a page where you can look up in-network dentists by location. By visiting an in-network dentist, you’ll be able to apply the full extent of your benefits to your care.
Out-of-Network Coverage
If a dentist isn’t in-network with your dental insurance plan but accepts dental insurance, you’ll still receive coverage for treatment. However, since they haven’t negotiated with your dental insurance provider, that coverage likely won’t be as extensive as it would be when you visit an in-network dentist. In most cases, finding an in-network dentist is the best way to save money with your plan.