General knowledge among the public is that dental implants are a cosmetic procedure and, therefore, elective surgery. In some cases, they may be right, but after a little research, people find out they can also be wrong.
Yes, dental implants are an excellent option for a long-term, beautiful smile. Implants can also be the answer for severe mouth trauma. For instance, if someone has been in a car accident and lost multiple teeth a cracked the jaw, they need a quick repair for a broken, unusable mouth. In these cases, dental insurance will cover some or most of the surgery.
However, many in the public may be unaware of the costs associated with dental implants and the availability of insurance coverage. Some dental insurance plans are similar to medical insurance, offering PPO and HMO options and here are some details.
- PPO means Preferred Provider Organization. Patients have access to a network of dentists and oral specialists. It allows patients to choose their own providers, whether the doctor is in-network or out-of-network. The out-of-pocket costs may fluctuate, as a deductible must be met before the remaining expenses are covered by insurance.
- DHMO means Dental Health Maintenance Organization, which offers a specific list of providers to choose from. The provider you prefer may not be on that list, but the patient also doesn’t pay a deductible.
- Indemnity Insurance option can combine medical and dental coverage. This type of plan has a deductible that must be met, and patients will be reimbursed a portion of the fee, depending on the services provided. It can cover dental implants if approved and depending upon the circumstances. With this option, you can choose a best-in-class oral surgeon for your dental implant surgery.
- Dental Discount Plans which replaces monthly insurance coverage payments with a yearly fee in exchange for reduced rates on dental and oral procedures. This is an excellent alternative for anyone who needs immediate dental care.
Our Team will help and take a Second Look at Your Insurance for Dental Implants
Many of our own patients who walk through our doors here in San Francisco have done their due diligence and made informed decisions about dental insurance. Yet when it comes time to use them, they appreciate it when the SF Dental Implants staff takes another look. Our clinic staff are experts at reviewing the various types of dental insurance. After a thorough assessment by Dr. Rabinovich and his diagnosis, the clinic team begins reviewing what your insurance will cover. In some instances, dental implants may be considered medically necessary for a patient. If that occurs, a patient might pay a smaller price for the cost of dental implants. As stated before, dental implants are not always covered by dental insurance. But our staff is ready to review what’s possible and come up with a comfortable payment plan.
