At North Hills Dentistry, our team is committed to providing the highest quality dental care for all new and existing patients. As part of that commitment, we work hard to maximize all insurance benefits. We aim to make financial responsibility affordable to each and every patient who steps through our doors.
Navigating Dental Insurance
Have you ever sat down and read your dental insurance policy? If so, you likely did because you were having trouble falling asleep! Understanding your individual dental insurance is important, and most patients are surprised to discover just how little it covers! In many cases, patients discover that their insurance company does not always have their best interest at heart. When it comes to getting the most out of your coverage, you can trust us to know how to maximize your benefits each time you see us. We promise to provide clear and personalized treatment plans, regardless of insurance coverage, and then work with you to maximize your benefits. For general tips on the best ways to use your insurance, be sure to read our short guide below. If you have any questions about your particular policy, you can always give us a call.
Many people believe that dental insurance is a lot like standard medical insurance, but this couldn’t be further from the truth once you take a closer look. With health insurance, the more catastrophic the situation is (a car accident, a broken bone, etc), the higher your coverage is. On the dental side, it’s the complete opposite. This type of insurance is more like a discount plan that covers basic services like dental checkups and cleanings fully while providing partial benefits to more extensive care like root canal therapy or dentures. These plans also have yearly maximums, so that’s why it’s important to have a gameplan for how to take full advantage of available coverage in a calendar year.
Your plan, like many others, probably follows the “100-80-50” model of coverage, which means it should look something like this:
- Preventive treatments (checkups, cleanings, X-rays) are covered at 100% of the insurance company’s allowable fee
- Basic restorative treatments (fillings, bonding) are covered 80% of the insurance company’s allowable fee
- Advanced restorative treatments (crowns, dentures, extractions) are covered 50% of the insurance company’s allowable fee
Again, every insurance company’s “allowable fee” is different. Not all plans are created equal. Nonetheless, preventive treatments are usually signifcantly less expensive than advanced restorative treatments. With our focus on preventive care, our goal is to help you avoid the need for more expensive services over time, which is great for both your oral health and wallet.