Does insurance cover dental implants? That's a big question that we get all the time here at Healthy Smiles of Staten Island. We think it should. After all, your teeth are directly related to your ability to eat and the most visible part of your body - your face. In a perfect world, dental implants would be covered by all insurance, but that's not the case. However, some insurance companies do cover them, and there are ways to mitigate the costs, as well. That's what we're talking about today.
As we just said, that's a bit of a yes-and-no situation. It's covered by some insurances, while other insurances may only cover certain aspects of dental implants. Some insurance companies won't cover them at all.
Basic dental insurance policies almost never cover the cost of dental implants, as they're classified as cosmetic dental procedures. However, some dental insurance plans might cover a portion of cosmetic dental procedures, which means they could help their customers pay for at least some of their dental implants. The amount varies, but some companies will pay up to 50% for "cosmetic procedures" like dental implants.
Some medical insurance policies may cover part or all of the costs of dental implants, but that coverage is completely based on your policy. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation like getting a flu shot or other treatments.
If you have medical insurance, dental insurance, or both, part or all of your implants may be covered. That's a big maybe, however. It's important to take a close look at your plans and take stock of what they do and don't cover, the amount of coverage they offer, and more. Some important considerations include:
While complete dental implants may not be covered by all insurance policies, many of the parts of the dental implant surgery may be. For example, extraction of the damaged teeth prior to installing the implants may be covered. If your plan doesn't cover implants as a whole, it might cover the crown, bridge, or denture supported by the implants. If your plan has covered tooth replacement due to injury, you might be able to get part of the procedure covered. Finally, you may be able to negotiate an allowance from your insurance company toward the cost of dental implants in line with the cost of other procedures such as bridges or traditional dentures.
If the answer to does insurance cover dental implants is a yes for you, then you have some options to maximize your coverage. If the answer is no, there are still ways to minimize the impact of the cost of dental implants.
One of the best ways to maximize your coverage is to begin the dental implant surgery at the end of the year and complete it at the beginning of the next year. This allows for billing that takes full advantage of your policy's maximum annual limit, helping to mitigate your out-of-pocket costs. In addition, it's important that your claim is filed with all pertinent information to maximize the chances of approval. For example, if your tooth loss is related to or causing another serious illness, it may be covered.
Minimizing costs can be effective in ensuring that you can afford dental implants as a permanent solution to your dental issues. Care Credit is an excellent way to finance dental implants and avoid upfront costs. In addition to long-term financing options, you can also choose 12, 18, or 24-month options that have no additional interest charges.
Some dental offices have their own, in-house financing plans, as well, allowing you to pay over time. You may also be able to stretch your dental implant process out over the course of several months to help mitigate costs, giving yourself a break to pay down the amount as you go.
We wish we could say that all insurance companies cover dental implants, but they just don't. Fortunately, there are ways to make the most of your coverage and mitigate the cost of the procedure.
If you're looking for a dental implant dentist on Staten Island to perform your dental implant surgery, Dr. Cipriano is a top choice for many candidates that qualify for the treatment. Schedule a FREE Consultation with us here, and we'll be happy to help guide you through the implant process along with ways to help make it more affordable for you.
