Why Visiting the Dentist with No Insurance is Better

Why Visiting the Dentist with No Insurance is Better

You might think picking a dentist is all based on what type of dental insurance and if your dentist will accept it. However, dental insurance has changed a lot in the last decade. Now coverage is seen as a benefit rather than insurance coverage. So if you’re looking for a dentist for no insurance then you’re in good company and just might be better off in the long run. 

Finding a Dentist. No Insurance… No Problem

Choosing the best dentist for you or your family might start as a simple proposition. However, begin to consider all of the factors that might be important in that decision. 

Key Factors to know about Dental Insurance:

  • Dental insurance is different from medical insurance.
  • Accepting specific insurance plans is not tied to care.
  • Many dentists will submit for insurance plans when they are not part of the network.
  • Some of the best dentists have limited relationships with insurance plans.

No Dental Insurance vs No Medical Insurance

Many people compare dental insurance to their health insurance plan. In reality there are major differences in the way that dental insurance functions and what procedures it will cover. 

The cost of premiums that you and possibly your employer pay for both dental and medical coverage, it will begin to shed some light. Medical insurance premiums are far more expensive and cover a much wider range of possibilities and associated costs. Medical insurance plans have very high coverage amounts. Deductibles that are much lower as an overall percentage of the cost of care.

Dental insurance differs significantly in this way. Dental insurance often has very low limits on annual amounts covered (typically about $1,000 to $1,500) and functions more as a discount or defined benefit program. 

In other words, there are certain procedures and exams covered. There are limits to the amount of overall care covered within the benefit period. Patients that need specific types of care will often find that their percentage of cost of treatment is much higher as a percentage when compared to medical coverage.

Better Dental Care with a Dentist with No Insurance

As Dr. Wright mentions in his video, the benefits of dental insurance plans can have a limiting impact on the way patients receive care. Dentists have to get authorization which takes some key elements of the decision making out of the hands of the dentists.  

This alone should be enough to have you wondering whether having no dental insurance could help you find better dentists. However, there are a couple of additional considerations as well. One of those factors is that any high quality dentist is going to recommend the very best treatment for their patient regardless of what is covered in a specific plan.

With this in mind, it is important to understand that acceptance of specific insurance plans or not having dental insurance should not really dictate the care that is received from a top dentist. Dental Scout has written an article (How to find a good dentist) you can find about how to find the perfect one for you. 

A great dentist will help you understand treatment options and costs. They should be able to tell you what is covered by any plan that you may have. Often the options presented will make little or limited difference between a dentist that is in-network vs. a dentist that is not in-network with a specific insurance company, but willing to submit on your behalf.

Submitting for Insurance Plans

Dr. Wright spoke in his video about both why he has gone out of network with most insurance programs, but also that he still submits for insurance for you as a patient. That might sound confusing, but it’s really simple.  

Like many other top dentists in Colorado Springs, Dr. Wright will send reimbursement paperwork or file with an insurance company on your behalf, but he doesn’t want dental care to be defined by an outside company. 

His patients know that they are receiving top quality care and treatment options, but may warrant additional financial responsibility. The truth is, this is often the case whether a dentist is in or out of network because of the defined benefits and coverage allowances of most dental insurance plans. 

Limited Relationships with Insurance Plans.

Hopefully, this article helps you understand why looking for a dentist with no insurance won’t hurt and possibly even better your chances in finding the best dental care. Many of the most experienced and top dentists in Colorado Springs will have limited relationships with dental insurance companies. 

The vast majority of them will still gladly work with you to utilize those benefits while still getting great care. Understanding that dental and medical insurance work differently will hopefully help you to focus on finding the best dentist. Then you can work with them to discuss the associated costs of treatment vs. benefits from a plan. With that said, is there ever a time when insurance should dictate who you choose and see for oral health care? The answer is yes with the most common example below.

Using Medicaid Coverage for Dental Care?

Medicaid dental coverage is a specific type of dental insurance that is offered as a part of government assistance with specific qualifications. As it is part of a government program, it has its own rules, requirements, and stipulations that apply to patients and providers alike. 

Accepting this type of coverage is optional for dental offices and takes active steps on their part. For this reason, there are offices that elect not to accept Medicaid patients and others that do provide care. If you are using Medicaid, you will want to select an office that provides this type of care specifically. Dental Scout can help you locate these offices within the Colorado Springs and Pueblo communities.

Dr. Mark H. Wright

Dr. Mark H. Wright

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DentalScout

Curator: DentalScout Team

25+ years of dental experience

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