The pain and uncertainty associated with a sudden oral health problem can send your stress levels through the roof. Your anxiety might be furthered heightened if you are worried about the cost of care. Will your dental insurance cover an emergency visit? How much might you have to pay out of pocket? What if you cannot afford treatment? This blog post provides valuable information.
Dental Insurance and Emergency Dental Care
It is important to remember that dental insurance policies vary greatly in the coverage they provide. It would be wise to check the details of your unique plan to see how it applies in any given situation.
With that being said, it is possible to provide general information about how dental insurance usually approaches emergency situations:
- Often, one emergency exam each year is covered. In many cases, patients have to pay nothing out of pocket just to get a dentist to assess their situation.
- Insurance usually covers emergency procedures. Your policy is likely to provide partial coverage for any treatment that your emergency dentist recommends. Depending on your needs, your insurance might pay for 40 – 80% of your treatment. For example, fillings are usually 80% covered, whereas crowns may be covered at just 50%.
- Some stipulations apply. You may have to pay a deductible, and your policy probably has an annual maximum that limits how much your insurance will pay out in a calendar year.
Your dental practice can help you understand your benefits and provide you with candid information about your expected out-of-pocket costs.
What if You Cannot Afford Care?
Even with insurance, some patients end up with an emergency dentistry bill of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If your budget is tight, that can be an alarming situation.
Should you forgo care in an effort to save money? No. The longer you delay treatment, the worse your dental problem is likely to become. Not only might you suffer incredible pain, but you could also end up paying more for treatment. For example, a minor toothache might be fixable with a filling. If the decay worsens and you end up needing a crown, your total bill will be significantly higher than if you had received treatment in a timely manner.
If you are concerned about costs, talk to your dental team. Most practices offer low-interest financing that allows patients to pay for care via manageable monthly installments.
You should never let concerns about cost prevent you from seeking emergency dental care. With your insurance and financing, it may be easier than you think to afford your needed treatments.
Meet the Practice
At Mind Your Mouth of South Portland, we provide gentle and compassionate emergency oral health services. We welcome most forms of dental insurance, and most of our patients are eligible for financing through CareCredit. To learn more about us and our financial policies, contact our office at 207-200-4106.