issues with your Dental Insurance?
Lets talk about certain misunderstandings and common misconceptions about Dental Insurance.
First of all, there are NO real dental insurances…they are called Dental Discount plans, they just don’t tell you that. Put it this way, when you buy Medical Insurance…what is the first thing they do? a blood exam, and urine test…right? Yes…they need to know if there are any pre-existing conditions before they tell you how much you will need to pay for their Insurance premium and monthly fees. And that is logical since they will probably end up paying large sums of money if you ever need Surgery or to be medicated on a constant basis. Therefore, they actually know how money covering you will ultimately cost you.
On the other hand, so called “Dental Insurances”, don’t even ask you when was the last time you had a Dental Cleaning or Dental Exam; Instead, they ask you how much you want to pay them, $10 per month-$60 per month-a$100? this is wrong, and you are starting with the wrong foot most of the time. Additionally, the coverage usually goes from $1000 to $2500 a year!!! So, If you need a Crown or Cap and a Root canal for a single tooth, there goes your allowance. Did you know that most dental insurances have not updated their allowed fees since the 1970s? Back then, a Cap or Crown average cost was around $200 while today is around $1300 on average!!! Everything has changed in 40 years, “Dental Insurance coverage” has NOT.
Another very common occurrence is the downgrade of a Service that has been already provided. For example, you have a defective Amalgam or Silver filling that needs replacement; a Composite or tooth color restoration is indicated and performed since you might not want a metallic filling, which almost no one does or dentist do anymore (remember the Mercury fuzz?). Well, the insurance said it would cover 80% of $218, which is $175. But then, they say you could have been restored with Amalgam or Silver filling and therefore they reimburse only $95. So you were told initially it would cost you $44, and it ends up being $123. Who is to blame?
A few tips for your Insurance search:
- Look for PPO’s if you can…They usually cover more and allow you to visit any dentist you like..Even specialists like us.
- If you pay $15 a month, don’t expect them to cover too much. It is only $180 a year! Insurance companies are not in the business of loosing money.
- Ask your Provider for a Pre-estimate before you do anything
- and Always, always, read the small letter in the bottom of your contract and be aware of the exclusions.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, OR YOU NEED DENTAL CARE, OUR OFFICE CAN GLADLY PROVIDE YOU WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO ACHIEVE THAT HEALTHY SMILE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.
Hernan E. Quintero D.D.SProsthodontist
DISCLAIMER: This article is for information only and in no way represents an established fact or suggest fees for service.
