Have you recently bought dental insurance to help pay for your oral healthcare? If so, it’s important to be aware of the details of your plan that could affect your coverage. For example, there’s a good chance that your plan has a waiting period. What exactly does this mean? And what impact does it have on your benefits? Here are the basics you should be aware of.
What are Dental Insurance Waiting Periods, and Why Do They Exist?
A dental insurance waiting period is a set amount of time that you need to wait before your coverage actually kicks in. Your insurance company will not help pay for certain procedures until the waiting period is up. The length of the waiting period can vary depending on the specifics of your plan.
The main purpose of waiting periods is to prevent insurance misuse. If the full benefits of the plan could be used right away, some individuals might buy dental insurance simply to pay for a specific expensive procedure and then drop it immediately afterward. Waiting periods prevent this practice, ultimately reducing costs for the insurance company as well as their policyholders.
How Do Dental Insurance Waiting Periods Work?
Dental insurance plans generally cover three broad types of dental care: basic restorative treatments, major restorative treatments, and preventive services. Waiting periods can vary for each type of care:
- Basic restorative procedures such as fillings tend to have a waiting period of about 3 to 6 months.
- For major restorative procedures such as dental crowns, you may have to wait anywhere from 6 to 12 months before you can use your coverage.
- Preventive services often don’t come with a waiting period at all. That means you can immediately take advantage of your dental insurance to help pay for routine checkups and cleanings.
Remember, every dental insurance plan is different. It’s important to review your benefits carefully to make sure that you’re aware of any waiting periods and how long they are.
How to Make Dental Care More Affordable During a Waiting Period
If you need a basic or major restorative treatment before your dental insurance waiting period is up, you can talk to your dental team to see what options are available for making your care more affordable. In many cases, you may be able to apply for financing through a third-party company such as iCreditWorks. Financing allows you to break up the cost of dentistry into budget-friendly installments, which can take much of the stress out of paying for your treatment.
Getting the most out of your dental insurance means making sure that you fully understand every aspect of your benefits. If there’s something you need to clarify regarding your plan’s waiting period, you should reach out to your insurance carrier so that they can address your questions and concerns.
About the Author
Dr. Gary Radz is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. He is known internationally for his experience in cosmetic dentistry, and he has been named one of “Denver’s Best Dentists” in 5280 Magazine for 15 years in a row. His current practice, Smile Castle Rock, offers a wide range of services and accepts multiple PPO dental insurance plans. If you are ready to schedule your next dental appointment with Dr. Radz, you can visit his website, use his online booking tool, or call (303) 663-9600.