Will my dental work be covered by my insurance?

One of the most frequent questions our receptionists get from patients is about whether the dental work they’ve just had will be covered by their insurance. Though it seems like a fairly straightforward question, the answer is rarely a simple yes or no. Let's dive in to some of your most common questions about insurance.

Will Anchor Dental bill the insurance company directly?

Yes (but sometimes no)! If you have privately purchased dental insurance or are covered by your employer’s group insurance plan, you might be partly or fully covered. For most plans we can direct bill the insurance company and usually get a response right away as to what portion of the bill they will cover for the visit. The plan member is only responsible for any portion their particular dental plan does not cover. Of course, that amount varies based on the specific dental work you’ve had done. Every so often however, a patient’s insurer does not accept direct billing. In that case, we provide the patient with everything they need to recoup their out-of-pocket expenses.

Do you know what my plan covers?

No. Each dental insurance plan is different, and it is each member’s responsibility to know the details of their particular plan. With strict privacy laws in place, only the plan member can obtain information about their coverage from their insurance provider. If you have questions about what your specific plan covers, we recommend reaching out the person who administers your workplace plan, or getting in touch with your insurance company and asking those questions.

Is the dental procedure my dentist recommends covered by my insurance?

Most insurance plans cover the costs for basic dental procedures such as x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, and root canals. But that’s not always the case. Make sure you are aware of what procedures are covered before you have the work done. For more intensive procedures like crown and bridge or dental implants, we will send a pre-determination to your insurance company before moving ahead with the procedures, so you are aware of any out-of-pocket costs you will be responsible for.

So back to the original question...

The best way for you to know what dental work will be covered by your insurance is do your research before you have any work done. From there you will be able to make a plan with your dentist to get the treatment you need.