Why do dental costs vary?
Like most other things in life, the more materials, time, and work required to fix a given problem, the more expensive the cost. Similarly, teeth that need minimal care to reach a safe and stable place will incur significantly lower costs than teeth requiring extensive care.
Can the team at Daniel Appel DDS help me understand what my insurance company will cover regarding the cost of dental care?
Absolutely. We would love to help you. We can get an estimate from your insurance company regarding the types of procedures they estimate they will pay for. Please keep in mind that insurance companies aim to keep as much of their money as possible. They do this by playing games with what they will and will not cover. We can get an estimate from them regarding what they will cover, but they can change their minds about what they're going to cover right up until the moment they are supposed to pay. This is a game all insurance companies play, and it's a problem that all dentists, physicians, and other healthcare providers have to deal with every day. It's just part of the landscape we live in these days. However, we can help you achieve a good picture of what your insurance company says they will cover.
If my insurance company does not cover the full cost of my dental care, are there payment plan options available?
Absolutely. We have multiple payment plan paths that patients can use to spread the cost of their care over time. We want to make this doable for everyone. Once we're able to bring you in and get an idea of what your needs are, we would be happy to help you set up a plan that works for you so that you can achieve your goals.
Does Daniel Appel DDS offer a discount for cash payment upfront?
Absolutely. We love cash. If you pay upfront at the time of service with cash, there's a three percent discount as a little gift to say thank you.
I hope I've answered some of your questions about dental costs today. If you have any other questions, my financial team is awesome at what they do. They would love to help you understand what benefits may be available to you and what payment plans are available to help cover the remainder of costs so that you can achieve whatever your healthcare goals might be. Have a great day.
What financing options are available for patients who need a procedure but don't have the cash upfront?
We work with a number of companies that specialize in healthcare financing to help patients out. For instance, CareCredit is a well-known one. For established patients with a good record, we have an in-house financing process to help spread the cost over time. We can also bill the insurance company for the procedures.
How do insurance companies factor into payment processes?
Insurance companies can be unpredictable, and we have no way to influence their decisions. However, we will do our best to help patients get as much benefit from their insurance as possible. We can bill the insurance company for procedures as a courtesy to our patients.
Do patients have to pay for their procedure upfront on the day of the procedure?
This depends on the financing situation that has already been worked out. If you're working with a healthcare lender to finance treatment, then you'll have monthly payments with them. If we've worked out an in-house financing process with an established patient, then they have a credit card-based monthly payment. If you're an insurance patient, it varies. Our insurance specialists work with patients to determine how their insurance company works. Some require a certain payment upfront and then they pay the rest later, others send you the entire amount, which you then have to reimburse us.
Does healthcare financing always require a credit check?
If you're working with a third-party healthcare financier, such as CareCredit, they generally will require a credit score review. However, they work with a wide range of credit scores.
Does dental insurance typically cover the cost of most procedures?
This varies a lot, depending on what insurance and specific sub-plan you have. This is constantly changing, so it's best to have our insurance specialist do an evaluation for you, which we offer for free. Insurance companies generally cover a decent portion of basic things like cleanings and basic fillings, but for other types of procedures, they put more of the weight on the patient.
How can a patient determine what their insurance company will cover?
You can either call your insurance company directly or contact our financial and insurance team. They can review the information we've received from the insurance company and clarify as much as we can. However, it's important to note that insurance companies sometimes change their minds about payment promises, even up until the last moment. We can give you an estimation of what they say they will do, but at the end of the day, it is an estimation.
What is the main goal of your office regarding patient financing?
Our main goal is to minimize financial barriers, allowing people to move forward with treatment and keep their smiles beautiful. If you have any questions, our financial team is available to clarify your options.