Dental insurance can serve as a valuable asset that reduces the financial strain of maintaining a healthy smile. If you are new to your policy, you may rightly be eager to start using it! However, you should be aware that you may have waiting periods for various services. What exactly are dental insurance waiting periods, and what should you know about them? This blog post explains.
What Are Waiting Periods?
Simply put, a dental insurance waiting period is the amount of time that you must have your policy before it will cover certain services. Usually, there are different waiting periods for different categories of treatments:
- In most cases, there is no waiting period for preventive care. You can schedule a checkup and cleaning as soon as your policy is active!
- There may be a 6-month waiting period for minor services. Typically, this includes fillings and simple extractions.
- For major services, there is often a 12-month waiting period. Treatments like crowns and some types of oral surgery fall into this category.
Why Do Insurance Companies Impose Waiting Periods?
Waiting periods might seem like an unnecessary hassle, but the reason for their existence is simple. Dental insurance companies need to protect their business. If some people purchase insurance, use it for major services right away, and then cancel their policy, insurance companies will lose money. Alternatively, they would have to charge other policyholders a lot more money in order to cover their losses.
What if You Need Treatment Before Your Waiting Period Is Over?
Here are a few things you can do if you need treatment before your waiting period ends:
- See if your waiting period can be waived. Some insurance companies will waive waiting periods for people who held a dental insurance policy for at least 12 months before switching to their new plan.
- Ask your dentist about other options. For example, many practices accept low-interest financing through CareCredit.
- Do not wait to receive treatment. You might be tempted to wait to book your appointment until after your waiting period. However, it is important to remember that your oral health could easily take a turn for the worse during that time. You could end up with increased pain and a higher total bill!
Does your dental plan come with waiting periods? Learn the details of your policy so you do not run into any unpleasant surprises when you are paying for your oral care.
Meet the Practice
Taylor Choice Dental features a team of four talented dentists. Their many years of combined experience, coupled with their passion for providing high-quality care, makes them stand out in our community. Our practice welcomes dental insurance, and we are even in-network with some popular plans. To learn how we can help you maximize your benefits, get in touch with us at 737-301-8555.