DENTAL INSURANCE

Many people are enrolled in group dental insurance programs offered by their employers.  Often, they do not fully understand the purpose and terms of these plans.  In fact, many equate dental benefits with medical benefits that provide full coverage for treatment, high benefit limits, co-payment for office visits and complete prescription drug coverage.

In reality, group dental plans are not dental insurance at all.  They are something quite different and are more accurately described as dental assistance plans.  Dental coverage is designed to defray only part of the cost for dental care and most often does not cover the treatment in full even when it is defined as “covered” under the plan.

How can this be?  Most dental plans comprise three parts:

  1. Routine/preventive care, which covers exams, cleanings, x-rays and sealants.
  2. Basic services, which covers fillings, root canals and extractions.
  3. Major services, which covers more expensive treatments, such as inlays and crowns.

Many dental plans also offer an orthodontic benefit that covers part of the cost for braces for children under the age of 19.  Most plans do not cover the cost of adult orthodontics.  If orthodontics is offered, the standard is 50% coverage to a lifetime maximum benefit of $1,000.

FINANCIAL POLICY

Here are a few things you should be aware of:

  • If you have dental insurance, we want to help you receive your maximum allowable benefits.  However, it is the patient’s responsibility to contact the insurance company to clarify benefit levels, referral requirements, deductibles, copayments, etc.  Patients with insurance coverage are required to pay their deductible and estimated portion of the fee at the time the dental services are provided.  Patients with insurance are also responsible for any balance remaining after the insurance company has made payment on the claim.
     
  • Patients who do not have dental insurance are required to pay the full fee on the day they receive the dental service unless previous arrangements were made.  A cash discount may be applied.
     
  • Our office is primarily amalgam free.  Some insurance companies will only cover up to what they would allow for amalgam, or silver, fillings. The difference between the insurance payment and remaining amount is due at the time of service.
     
  • As a convenience, we accept MasterCard, VISA, check and cash.  Outside financing is also available for those who qualify.

While it is our intent to provide you with as accurate as possible financial information, our office cannot give an exact estimate of insurance benefits.

APPOINTMENT POLICY

To maintain quality and timely treatment, a $25 charge for any appointment cancelled without a 48 hour notice will be assessed to your account. 

Hazelton Town Center
124 Emswiler Way, P.O. Box 701
Pataskala, OH 43062
(740) 927-3981
Last Modified 2008