Dental emergencies such as broken teeth and severe oral pain can definitely be stressful –especially if you’re not sure how you’re going to pay for your treatment. Can you expect your dental insurance plan to cover an emergency dental visit? And if so, what will that coverage look like? Here’s what you need to know in order to make sure that you’re as prepared as possible for the worst-case scenario.
What Does Dental Insurance Cover?
First of all, it’s important to emphasize that every dental insurance plan is different. The coverage available for emergency dental care will vary from policy to policy, so it’s best to make sure that you understand the details before you make any decisions regarding your care.
With that being said, your dental insurance plan is likely to pay for one emergency visit per year. On top of that, it’s normal for dental insurance to at least partially cover many of the procedures that are often performed to treat dental emergencies. Basic procedures like fillings may be covered by about 80% in many cases while major procedures like dental crowns commonly receive around 50% coverage.
What Factors Can Influence Dental Insurance Coverage?
Naturally, the nature and severity of your emergency will determine the type of treatment you require, which in turn will affect the amount that your dental insurance company is willing to pay for care. However, there are other factors to take into account:
- Many dental insurance plans will offer better coverage if you receive treatment from an in-network dentist. Conversely, seeing an out-of-network dentist for emergency care could increase the amount you pay out of your own pocket.
- You may need to meet your deductible for the year before your insurance company is willing to pay for any treatments.
- Oftentimes, dental insurance comes with an annual maximum. Once you reach this maximum, you will be responsible for paying any remaining dental costs until your plan resets.
- In certain cases, your dental insurance plan may limit coverage for treating any emergencies that came about as the result of a pre-existing condition.
How Else Can You Pay for Emergency Dental Treatment?
It’s worth remembering that dental insurance is not your only option for paying for emergency dental care. You can also apply for financing via CareCredit, which offers a variety of payment plans that come with little to no interest. CareCredit makes it easier to fit dental care into your budget because it allows you to pay in installments instead of in a single lump sum.
Remember, if you have any questions about your dental insurance or other financial options, you can always talk to the team at your dentist’s office. They’ll help you figure out the best way to get the quality emergency dental care you need without breaking the bank.
About the Practice
Here at Blue Coast Dental Group, we provide comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages in Torrance. This includes same-day appointments for dental emergencies such as toothaches. We are currently in-network with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Delta Dental, and other dental insurance plans. If you want to schedule an emergency appointment with our team, contact us by calling (310) 424-3100.