It’s natural to be fearful when it comes to a dental emergency. You’re in pain and unsure of what will happen. Adding to the stress of it all is whether your dental insurance will help pay for your initial visit. Before you assume the worst, read on to discover why you may not have much to worry about in terms of the financial side of emergency dentistry.
Will Dental Insurance Cover an Emergency Visit?
In most cases, yes, you can expect that your dental insurance company will allow one emergency visit each year. While this may not always be the case, especially since each insurer is different, many offer patients one exam as part of their host of benefits.
This can be a welcome reality for anyone who may be contemplating the idea of bypassing treatment because of the potential cost. This is never a good idea and will only lead to more serious symptoms and problems.
How Much Will You Have to Pay for Emergency Care?
The price of your dental emergency is largely dependent on a few different factors:
- The severity of the problem
- The location inside your mouth
- The type of restorative care you need
- The materials used to restore your smile
Each type of injury is different (i.e., knocked-out tooth, chipped or cracked tooth, lost dental crown or filling, soft tissue laceration, sensitive teeth, jaw pain, etc.), which is why the total cost cannot be calculated until you schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist.
Once a full examination is performed, a cost estimate will be drawn up so that your dental team can review it with you. At that time, administrative professionals will sit down and go over the financial side of emergency care.
Having dental insurance can help you save a lot of money when faced with restorative care. Depending on the type of treatment you need, your insurer may agree to pay anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost; however, you will need to have met your deductible before expecting your insurance company to pay more of their share.
There is also the option of pursuing flexible financing if you do not have dental insurance. Many dentists partner with third-party companies like CareCredit that offer low and no-interest plans that allow you to pay off your total amount over time instead of all upfront.
Your oral health deserves timely care, so don’t let the fear of costly treatment keep you from seeking help from an emergency dentist. Using your dental insurance to help with the overall price tag can give you greater peace of mind even in the direst circumstances.
About the Author
Dr. Hamid Ranjbaran or “Dr. R” as he is known by his patients enjoys helping individuals in need. When a patient arrives with a dental emergency, he and our team can quickly get to work, identifying the problem and creating a treatment plan that aims to fix the issue. But if cost is a concern, our dental team can make the process easy and less stressful by going over the details of the person’s dental plan. If you are unsure whether your emergency visit will be covered, contact us at (505) 896-9399.