We’ve all been there. The first thing that comes to mind when you think about going to the dentist is, “Will my insurance cover it?”. Or, if you don’t have dental insurance, “Will I be able to afford it?”
We know that understanding how insurance works can be tricky. But don’t worry, we are here to answer all your questions and make sure you get the best possible solution. Our main goal is to help you to take care of your oral health, regardless of your insurance situation.
Here, we listed some of the most asked questions about insurance that we get at our office. However, if there’s anything else you want to know, our team will be more than happy to give you all the information that you need!
What insurance companies do you work with?
We are out of network — we aren’t tied to any insurance company. As long as your insurance plan lets you choose the dentist you want to treat you, you can come to our office!
Our experienced team will submit your claim and help you make the most out of your dental plan.
Can I use my dental insurance right away?
Most dental insurance policies require a 6-12 month waiting period for any restorative treatment. However, cleanings and routine exams are usually covered immediately. You can call your HR department or insurance company to find out more about your specific plan.
Do I need to have dental insurance?
Dental insurance can be beneficial to many people, but it’s not 100% necessary. Sometimes it will reduce the out-of-pocket cost of dental treatments.
Whether you do or don’t have dental insurance, at Austin Dental, we have several options for making your dental care more accessible.
If I don’t have dental insurance, can I still go to the dentist?
Of course! You don’t need to have a dental insurance plan to take care of your dental health. If you don’t have dental insurance, we also accept other payment methods.
To make things even easier for you, we offer pre-payment discounts and financing alternatives. Call (512) 835-1924 to find out more.
How much do dental insurance companies cover?
Most dental insurance plans have a benefit cap per year. Depending on your plan, it can be about $1,000 to $3,000, which will be paid as a percentage of your treatment cost.
How can I pay for my treatment if I’m not covered?
We accept a variety of payment methods, including debit, credit, personal checks, and cash. We also take credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Ask about our pre-pay discounts!
Do you have any financing options?
Yes. At Austin Dental, we offer monthly payment plans for all treatments through CareCredit and LendingClub. This way, you can easily afford any dental procedure you may need. If you want to know more about how they work, our team will answer all your questions!
How does dental insurance work?
This is what you need to know about dental insurance:
- Your insurance is paid for by either you or your employer every month.
- You start each year with a set amount your insurer will provide to the expense of your dental treatment.
- When you need treatment, the amount of money your insurance will pay is covered in your plan’s benefits.
- You’ll have to pay a portion of the cost. The rest will be covered by your insurance policy — until you’ve reached your yearly cap. Anything not covered by your dental benefits will be your financial responsibility.
What does “fee for service” mean?
This means that insurance companies do not dictate our standards of care. Since we are non-contracted, we offer excellent dental services, and we aren’t restricted by the quality of materials we use or the treatment options we offer. Your dental health is our main priority.
How do you work with my insurance company?
We accept most dental insurances and we are not contracted providers. We can give you a summary of estimated benefits or help you get estimates directly from your insurance company. We can generate an estimate based on basic information given by your insurance company.
Because we are out of network, the information your insurance company will share with us is limited. This is where you come in. It’s very important that you understand the benefits you are allowed to use. If you have a particular question about insurance coverage, please contact your insurance company as they have proven to be more forthcoming with their members.
What happens if I change my insurance company?
Let us know if there are any insurance changes or if you change your employer before your appointment, since the confirmation of benefits usually takes 24-48 business hours. If we can’t verify your coverage prior to your appointment, you may have to assume full payment. Any money owed to you will be refunded by your insurance company once they process your claim.
How long does it take for insurance claims to be paid?
In most cases, insurance claims are paid within 2-4 weeks. If your claim hasn’t been paid after 45 days, we might ask you to call your insurance company. Insurance providers are always more accommodating when the subscriber gets involved in their claims follow-up.
After 60 days, we might contact you about the remaining amount on any unpaid claims. In case the insurance company pays less than expected or rejects your claim, you will be informed about the balance you are responsible for.
Do dental plans cover cosmetic treatments?
Cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and veneers are usually not covered by insurance.
We hope you found answers to your questions! However, if there’s anything else you want to know about dental insurance or financing options, our team is here for you. Our main goal is to help you take care of your smile, and it all starts with a call. Contact us today: (512)835-1924.
Or learn about your first appointment with us!
