Dental insurance picks up a portion of many dental costs, including premiums, copays and deductibles. The exact percentage depends on the type of dental work and your plan.
As a dental billing service helping improve front desk processes, we’ve seen that many patients can’t understand their out-of-pocket costs. This can lead to annoyed or angry patients, and it also means lost revenue.
Preventive care
The cost of dental care varies widely depending on the plan type and coverage level. Premium rates, deductibles and annual limits all play a role in the final cost of care. However, it’s important to remember that while dental insurance can help you save money on preventive services, it isn’t a replacement for regular visits. In fact, unaddressed oral issues can lead to serious health problems.
The best way to save on dental care costs is to have a comprehensive preventive plan that includes routine exams, bitewing X-rays and professional cleanings twice a year. This will keep your teeth in good condition, and prevent the need for costly repairs or replacements.
Preventive services are covered by most dental insurance plans, but it’s important to understand the coverage rules before you make an appointment. Most insurance plans have a deductible and copays, and some require that you stay in-network for certain services. The good news is that most dental insurance providers offer a large network of dentists.
As a dental billing company that helps improve patient relationships through proper insurance billing calculations and education, we have seen many patients get frustrated with their bills. Many of these people avoid visits to the dentist because they think it will be expensive. Fortunately, these concerns can be avoided by making sure that you understand your insurance coverage and schedule an appointment at the right time.
Restorative care
In addition to brushing and flossing, regular dental visits and routine fillings help keep your mouth healthy and your out-of-pocket costs low. You can also lower your dental costs by choosing a dentist who is part of your insurer’s network and comparing prices online. Prices for dental procedures can vary greatly from one location to another, and dentists’ practices and methods can affect cost as well. For example, a bone graft using natural bone can cost more than one that uses synthetic bone. Similarly, some procedures are less invasive than others, but both options may have different pricing structures.
Insurance premium rates, deductibles and annual maximums can make dental work expensive for many people, especially those without access to dental care. Some may even avoid getting the care they need because of these high out-of-pocket costs, despite the fact that they have insurance.
Providing transparent cost estimates with a dental cost calculator can help your employees understand how to minimize their out-of-pocket costs by selecting in-network providers. The tool allows users to choose their specific procedure and then compare in-network and out-of-network costs for the same service to determine the best option for them. In addition, the tool can help encourage in-network utilization by showing the significant savings available to members who choose to visit an in-network provider.
Implants
Dental implants are a long-term investment that offer superior durability, comfort and aesthetics over other tooth replacement options. However, they are often more expensive than other treatments like dental bridges or traditional dentures. This means that dental patients are more likely to need a budget-friendly financing solution.
Unlike a single service such as a filling, dental implant costs can be complicated to calculate, owing to the multiple components that make up the total procedure. For instance, a patient who requires additional procedures such as a sinus lift or bone graft may need to add to the overall cost of the dental implant, causing the final price to rise.
Another significant factor is the type of implant, as some are more expensive than others. Additionally, the surgeon’s fees and other costs such as sedation or general anesthesia can add up. Finally, the materials used to manufacture each implant also affect the cost.
As a result, it is important for dental front desk teams to understand how to properly calculate the cost of an implant and to be able to explain this to their patients. Otherwise, they may end up giving incorrect estimates and frustrating their patients. This will also create a bad reputation for the office and may cause a loss in revenue. To help, many dental offices have adopted software that can automatically calculate out-of-pocket patient costs.
Periodontal care
If you have gum disease, your dental professional will recommend a treatment plan to save the teeth and bone. The first step will be a thorough cleaning called periodontal scaling and root planing. This deep cleaning involves removing plaque, tartar and bacteria above and below the gum line while the area is numb. It also includes smoothing rough spots on tooth roots to help the gum tissue heal and pockets to shrink. Medications and special mouth rinses may be prescribed to control infection and promote healing.
The next step is regular maintenance appointments with your dentist and dental hygienist. During these appointments, the pocket depths will be checked and treated as needed. Your dental hygienist will also polish your teeth to remove stains and make them look healthier. In addition, your dentist will examine diagnostic x-rays to detect decay, cysts, tumors and bone loss.
Your dentist will also recommend a diet of liquid or soft foods while the pockets are healing. Good oral hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth for two minutes twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, are essential to preventing gum disease and keeping it under control.
If your group dental insurance has an annual maximum, you will need to pay the deductible before the insurer will begin paying. Some services, such as preventive visits and cleanings, aren’t subject to a deductible and will be covered in full by your plan.