Do dental insurance plans cover dental implants? The short answer is, “it depends.” One insurance company may cover a dental implant procedure while another one does not. The truth is that dental insurance coverage is quite different from medical insurance plans. It can vary from one insurance company to another.
Understanding Dental Insurance Coverage
Up until a short while ago, dental insurance did not typically cover dental implants. Nowadays, while it’s becoming more common to see some aspects of dental implants included in many dental/health insurance packages offered by employers, the coverage can vary significantly. Many insurance companies still regard dental implants as a cosmetic procedure and may not provide comprehensive coverage, often limiting the benefits to certain parts of the treatment or offering no coverage at all.
Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that dental insurance coverage allowances (the amount they’ll cover for dental treatments) have stayed the same since the late 1970s and early 1980s. Those limits and allowances are almost the same as 50 years ago. They haven’t increased with the cost of living like medical or health insurance has.
Your dental insurance plans are prevention-focused. That means they pay more for preventative care like checkups and cleanings to prevent you from requiring major procedures that can, well, be prevented. That’s why an exam or cleaning may be covered at 100%, but major procedures may only be covered at 50%, with a limit to the total cost altogether (in other words, your benefits max out before you complete all the treatment you need).
Once you understand how dental insurance works, navigating an upcoming dental implant procedure can be confusing or even frustrating when you’re expecting your plan to cover dental costs.
How to Find Out if Your Insurance Coverage Includes Dental Implants
The best way to see if your dental insurance plan covers your dental implant surgery is to have your provider get a “benefit breakdown” and work up a dental care plan. During this process, insurance coordinators at our Camas dental office contact your insurance company. They provide us with the exact numbers for your allowances, limits, deductibles, and the percentage covered on all dental procedures. We then work up a dental plan incorporating those amounts into your list of planned treatments. Including any necessary oral surgery or dental crowns to go along with your new “implant teeth.”
While many insurance companies offer similar dental benefits, the specifics can vary based on the plan chosen by your employer. So, if you have a specific insurance company, you might have a different yearly allowance or waiting period for dental implants than a friend with the same insurance carrier.
Don’t Forget About Your Medical Insurance Coverage
Will my medical plan cover implants? Not exactly. But if you require complex care or sedation with oral surgeons because of complex pre-existing conditions, you may be able to use your health insurance company to pay for a portion of the overall treatment. While your dental provider can address most insurance-related questions, they’ll need your insurance breakdown in advance, as such details can’t be clarified over a simple call.
What if Insurance Doesn’t Cover Implants?
You may still have an insurance provider who doesn’t cover dental implants. That’s OK. You can easily finance your cost of dental implants with low or often 0% interest financing, regardless of how many missing teeth you have. And some of the treatments leading up to your implant installation may still be covered.
At Radiance Dental, we tailor payment plans, offering low monthly financing options to suit our patients’ budgets. That way, you can immediately attain your new smile without waiting for treatment.
As a bonus, you can also help pay for dental implants with a health savings or flex spending account.
Combining Payment Plans With Insurance Coverage
Let’s say you’re getting two dental implants and a fixed bridge on top of them. Your insurance company requires a deductible, and the yearly allowable doesn’t cover the entire cost of your treatment plan. What then?
Well, you can use the amount of dental insurance benefits that you’re allowed, and then you can finance any remaining balance with a 0% interest payment plan. You don’t need to do one or the other. It’s about working to have dental insurance cover as much as possible, then minimizing the financial impact on your personal budget.
Since implants provide lifelong tooth replacement, they still wind up saving you money in the future!
Cost of Dental Implants With or Without Insurance Company
It’s no secret that dental implant procedures cost more than other artificial tooth options like dentures and partials. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to afford them if your insurance covers implants, great! If not, our Camas implant dentist can still help you figure something out.
To get an accurate cost for dental implant treatment in Camas, consult our implant provider for a tailored treatment plan. At Radiance Dental, we work up each phase of the treatment and your estimated dental insurance and tabulate the total cost of the overall procedure, including any supportive therapies like extractions, sedation, etc. From there, we’ll review any low-interest or 0% financing options for the remaining balance if that’s something you’d like to look into.
Every person’s smile is unique, and no two dental implant procedures are the same. That’s why your initial exam is key to uncovering the exact cost of care.
Making Dental Implants Accessible in Camas
Radiance Dental understands that dental implant insurance can be a determining factor when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Even if you don’t have coverage or your dental coverage is minimal, it’s still possible to access the dental health care you need.
Our dental implant providers will work with you to curate a care plan for major procedures, enhancing your overall dental health while fitting into your budget.
Since dental implants can last for life, the investment in your missing teeth is priceless, regardless of insurance coverage.
Affordable Payment Plans
Your smile is forever, and at Radiance Dental, we’re committed to ensuring you have access to top-notch dental care when you need it. We understand the financial constraints that can sometimes stand in the way of getting the treatment you need.
We Accept Most Major Dental Insurance Plans
Navigating the world of dental insurance can be challenging. That’s why our dedicated office staff is always on hand to assist you with insurance claims and paperwork. We collaborate closely with your dental insurance provider to ensure your coverage aligns with your dental needs and budget. Feel free to reach out if you need more clarification about your insurance coverage or have any related questions.
See Your Payment Options with Radiance Dental
Are you considering alternative payment options? It’s simple! Just visit Proceed Finance here to check your rate today! We strive to provide flexibility, ensuring every patient has a radiant smile without breaking the bank.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity! For a limited time, Radiance Dental is offering a FREE dental implant consultation*. Mention this blog post to get the offer. Schedule your free consultation at Radiance Dental and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident smile.
*Offer good for a limited time. and may change at any time without notice.
