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According to the National Association of Dental Plans, over 70% of Americans have dental benefits. However, far too few are familiar with what their provider does and doesn’t cover, let alone the intricacies of their policy that make it unique. Fortunately, a dentist in Zionsville is sharing a basic outline of average dental insurance coverage.
What Does Your Dental Insurance Cover?
Typically, dental plans have a “100-80-50” structure. This refers to the percentage your carrier will cover for a specific treatment. The simple breakdown is 100% coverage of preventive care, like routine checkups and cleanings, 80% of basic procedures, like dental fillings and root canals, and 50% of major treatments, like bridges and crowns. However, depending on the fine print of your policy, you may also have benefits that cover additional care, like orthodontic treatment.
What Doesn’t Your Dental Insurance Cover?
Although there are complexities that make one person’s dental plan different from the next, there are a few services that typically aren’t covered by dental carriers, like teeth whitening treatments and porcelain veneers. Since these procedures aren’t deemed medically necessary, the patient is usually responsible for the cost out-of-pocket. That being said, there are a few exceptions, like metal-free restorations, which are considered both restorative and cosmetic. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check with your provider about the treatment you’re interested in!
How Your Dentist Can Help
Between the unfamiliar jargon and the pages of paperwork, it can be headache-inducing trying to decipher the fine print on your dental plan. Fortunately, your dental team can help! Not only are they familiar with how insurance works, but they also have years of experience filing claims and maximizing benefits. That way, all you have to focus on is getting the dental care you need. So, if you are unsure what your plan covers or want to utilize your benefits to the fullest before they reset, don’t hesitate to call your dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Angelo M. Julovich earned his dental doctorate at Indiana University’s School of Dentistry, and he has spent the last 30+ years providing patients with world-class care. In fact, he was recently voted Top Dentist for the 11th year in a row! Plus, he and his team at Trinity Dental are in-network with many of the nations leading insurance providers and are happy to work with out-of-network carriers as well. So, if you have a question about utilizing your coverage, don’t hesitate to contact him through his website or by phone at 317-769-3335.