How Does Dental Insurance Work

One of the most complicated parts about going to the dentist in Los Angeles isn’t the X-Rays,  checkups, or treatments. It’s dental insurance. Figuring out what’s covered, and for how much, is a really frustrating part of the process. Our specialists at Samaritan Dental Arts want to make this process as easy as possible in order to ease your worries. Dealing with insurance is not always simple. We are here to help you through the process. Check out our short guide about dental insurance, so you know what to expect next time you come in for teeth cleaning.

Knowing Your Plan Options

Understanding what’s available to you is the first step towards navigating the tricky insurance process. If you already have a dentist in Los Angeles you like, then you may be more inclined to go with an insurance option that you know they cover. Some plans are cheaper than others. You want to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck – without breaking the bank, of course.

If you don’t already have a dentist you love, you may have an even bigger opportunity to find an affordable insurance plan. You can navigate your search for a dentist by insurance costs, rather than searching for the dentistry office itself.

What Dental Insurance Covers

It’s important to get into the nitty-gritty when it comes to insurance. You need to know exactly what dental insurance covers so you know that you’ll be protected the next time you need to go in for a procedure. Dental insurance can cover options such as:

• Medical issues relating to the teeth and gums
• Emergency dental repair
• Treatments, follow-ups, and cleanings

There are also a few things that dental insurance typically does not cover. Investopedia recently discussed the key things that you can’t expect an insurance company to pay for:

• Cosmetic dentistry treatments
• Teeth whitening

If you are looking to whiten your teeth or get veneers, this may not be covered. Thankfully, these procedures are affordable enough on their own and may not warrant insurance coverage anyway.

What About Deductibles and Co-Pays?

Some patients are lucky enough to have their treatments covered completely. Most people expect deductibles and co-pays. These are the remaining charges left over after your insurance company pays for a certain amount. For example, your co-pay may be $50, meaning that you will pay $50 out of pocket for each appointment, while insurance covers the remainder of the charges for your appointment.

Get in touch with your dental insurance company right away to understand exactly what deductibles and co-pays you have. Most insurance companies will 100% cover routine procedures such as annual cleanings and X-Rays. If you are in need of emergency treatment, that may be covered as well. Communication is key when navigating insurance costs and coverages.

Look Out For Maximums

Just like regular health insurance, dental insurance does come with a maximum. This means that after a certain number is reached, the insurance will stop paying for your appointments altogether. From then on, you must cover 100% of the cost. You can speak with your insurance company further to understand this in case you have extraneous dental needs. Look online for local recommendations, as some dental insurance plans have higher maximums than others.

Dentist in Los Angeles

At Samaritan Dental, we offer a variety of insurance and financing options to help cover the cost of your appointments. All of our treatments and services are affordable, and we work with you to come up with a plan that works best. To learn more about our services and payment options please reach out online or give us a call at (213) 986-2933.