YOU ASKED, WE ANSWERED: WILL DENTAL INSURANCE COVER AN EMERGENCY VISIT?
February 16, 2023
Dental emergencies can be extremely stressful to handle. One moment, you’re having a nice meal with your friends; the next, you’re struggling with intense pain from biting down on your fork the wrong way. These situations are already hectic before the financial side comes into play, which is why the 77% of patients with insurance hope their provider will cover it. But does dental insurance cover an emergency visit to your dentist’s office? Find out here!
So, Will Dental Insurance Cover an Emergency Visit?
Since dental plans cover some things in full and others not at all, it’s natural to be curious if your provider will contribute to the cost of your emergency dental care. The good news is that many plans do cover a portion of the bill. For some patients, that looks like a free emergency exam annually. For others, it looks like 50% to 80% of the cost of the necessary restorative treatments being covered. That’s why it’s important to review the fine print on your plan – you’ll be familiar with your benefits when you need them most!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind with Dental Insurance
Since dental plans are rarely the same from patient to patient, it’s important to be aware of the things that set yours apart. Waiting periods, annual deductibles, and yearly maximums are a few things that can impact your coverage, even in an emergency situation. The good news is that the other benefits of being insured (like two covered checkups and cleanings a year) can help prevent you from experiencing a dental injury altogether. Don’t worry – if you have any questions about your benefits, your dental team can help walk you through it once you arrive for your treatment.
What Other Financial Solutions Are There?
If you don’t have dental insurance or you don’t have any available benefits, don’t hesitate to talk to your dental team about what other options are available. Flexible financing through third-party financiers like LendingClub and CareCredit have made essential dental care significantly more affordable – there are several plans available so you can pick the one that best suits your monthly budget! Your dentist might also have special offers available that help lower your out-of-pocket expenses even further. Simply put, you should ask about all of your financial options, not just insurance.
When a dental emergency arises, the last thing you want is to be worried about the cost of the care you need. Fortunately, your dental team can help you navigate the financials as well – from utilizing your dental insurance to learning about flexible financing.
About the Practice
With two exceptional dentists at Dental Specialists Group, we can help patients with everything from their six-month checkups to last-minute emergency dentistry. If you need the latter, we will go above and beyond to make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible. That includes carefully laying out all of the financial solutions available! If you want to learn more about utilizing your dental insurance for emergency care or you need to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (786) 589-8349.