6 Tips to Maximize Your Dental Implant Insurance Benefits
Your smile is among your best assets, but missing teeth can leave you self-conscious about smiling, talking, or laughing.
These dental challenges can also lead to difficulty eating and adverse changes to your facial appearance and overall health. But there is good news, dental implants can be the remedy you seek. Dental implants might have a higher initial cost but they offer long-lasting results. So, let’s discuss how you can get the most out of your dental implant insurance benefits.
1. Spread Out Your Procedures
Dental implant surgery consists of three main procedures done under general anesthesia.
First, your dental surgeon will insert the titanium post into your jawbone to replace the missing tooth root. Next, they attach the abutment (or post extension). Finally, they secure the crown (or artificial replacement tooth) onto the abutment.
There are typically a few weeks between the post implant and the crown restoration phases. This helps your jawbone grow around the post implant for a solid base and the reduction of swelling and bruising after attaching the crown.
Spreading out your procedures allows for a successful dental implant and time to recover the expenses of each phase.
2. Combine Dental and Medical Insurance
You may be wondering: “Does dental insurance cover implants?” The answer is that it depends on your dental insurance provider. Some plans may cover implants after accidental tooth loss but not for cosmetic purposes. Even where implants are covered, your plan may only pay for a percentage of the cost.
Combining your dental and medical insurance may be a solution. Your dental insurance may cover the implant, while your medical insurance may cover the associated surgical procedures. But there’s good news!
Paramount Implant Center has several payment and financing options. Our insurance coordinator will work closely with your insurance company to help you access the most benefits.
3. Work Around Waiting Periods
The waiting period is the required time that you must wait for some or all of your insurance coverage to come into effect. Dental insurance consists of preventive, basic, and major tiers of care.
Preventative care is often covered immediately, while the other tiers have waiting periods of six months (for basic care) and one year (for major care). You can explore plans with shorter waiting times, or switch to a new plan with the same provider.
4. Submit a Pre-Authorization Before Treatment
A pre-authorization is an approval request from your insurance company before your dental implant. Your dental surgeon submits information about the medical procedures to the insurance company, who then reviews it to decide coverage.
Once your coverage is approved, your dental surgeon can perform your dental implant. Getting this pre-authorization is ideal as it reduces the financial risks and gives you peace of mind.
5. Catch Issues Early
Early intervention identifies and resolves dental issues before they become a larger problem. For example, a bone graft procedure may be necessary before a dental implant.
The bone graft addresses insufficient bone in the jaw (which can’t support the post). Bone loss can arise from tooth loss, gum disease, trauma, and other issues, which preventative care could have resolved. So keep those dental appointments and try not to miss any!
6. Open a Health Savings Account (HSA)
A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows you to save for specific healthcare expenses. The HSA is a savings account where you can deposit and withdraw tax-free to pay for qualified expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Saving for these dental procedures will reduce your financial burden during and after surgery.
How to Use Medical Insurance to Cover Dental Implants
Fortunately, your medical insurance may cover dental expenses. However, you must prove your dental implant is medically necessary to treat a diagnosed medical condition.
These covered expenses can include evaluations, diagnostics, and surgeries. Here’s how to get dental implants covered by medical insurance:
- Review your insurance policy to see what dental treatments and prosthetics are covered.
- Understand the details of these medical procedures and any coverage limits.
- Gather information about your medical and dental history.
- Discuss with your dental surgeon how your dental implant is connected to a medical condition.
- Arrange for your dental surgeon to request pre-authorization from your insurance company.
Once your pre-authorization is approved, you can proceed with your dental implant surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s consider a few frequently asked questions about dental implants and your insurance benefits:
What is the 3/2 rule for dental implants?
The 3/2 rule is a guideline for placing a dental implant. The implant should be placed three millimeters from the cervical contour of the planned crown to achieve the right apical width.
The implant should also be two millimeters in the palatal direction from the cervical contour. The apical distance helps gum tissue to grow around the implant, while the palatal distance preserves soft tissue contours and prevents gum recession.
Following the 3/2 rule ensures soft tissue health and good teeth appearance. But don’t worry! Your surgeon will carefully explain all the medical procedures in your dental implant surgery. This isn’t something you’ll necessarily need to worry about.
What should I do if my dental insurance is maxed out?
While there is dental insurance that covers implants, it’s possible to max it out. You can speak with your dental surgeon about payment plans and using dental discounts for your surgery. Also, you can explore new insurance plans to increase your coverage and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Who has the best dental insurance for implants?
Dental insurance for implants varies across insurance providers and plans, so we can’t give you a definitive answer. Paramount Implant Center accepts UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Delta Dental, Humana, MetLife, and Cigna. However, our insurance coordinator will collaborate with your insurance company to help you get the right benefits for your dental surgery.
Let Your Dental Implant Insurance Work for You!
Dental implants offer lasting health and aesthetic results. So don’t allow financial challenges to stop you from getting the best dental care. Following these tips will help you maximize the benefits of your dental implant insurance.
Paramount Implant Center prioritizes your oral health and overall well-being. Let’s discuss how we can help you transform your smile: