Dental Insurance We Accept and Will File For Patients
At Higginbotham Family Dental, we accept and are in-network with many types of dental insurance plans. Given that there are various insurance providers offering multiple plans, each individual’s coverage can vary. Therefore, our insurance coordinators are happy to verify your insurance plan before your appointment and answer any questions you may have!
Coverage Offered By Dental Insurance Plans
Since there are various dental insurance plan types, each individual’s insurance coverage will vary. The policy for coverage will typically depend on how a specific treatment plan is categorized. Generally, the three main categories are preventive, basic restorative, and advanced restorative.
The categorization and coverage for different types of treatments will vary from plan to plan. Thus, it’s best to review the type of coverage offered for each category in your plan to understand more about your specific dental insurance coverage.
How Insurance Works
Given that dental insurance plans differ, the coverage they offer varies. However, they all have one thing in common: their main focus is on preventative dental care. This means that insurance companies prioritize preventing oral health issues rather than treating them.
No matter which dental insurance plan type or provider you choose, it’s beneficial to know some common terms below:
- Maximum: As the name suggests, the term “maximum” refers to the capped amount your dental insurance will pay for your treatments in a given year.
- Deductible: This is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance benefits begin.
- Premium: This is the amount you pay for dental insurance, which may be on a monthly or annual basis.
Find Out If We Are In-Network With Your Dental Insurance Plan
We are gladly in-network with your dental insurance plan and will even file it for you as a courtesy. Moreover, let us put your dental insurance to work for you! Additionally, our Insurance and Treatment Coordinators are trained to maximize your benefits, ensuring you get the most out of them each year. Remember, if you don’t use your benefits, you lose them, including what remains of the maximum.
Therefore, please review the list of dental insurance plan types below. Furthermore, if you do not see that we are in-network with your dental insurance plan, send us a message, and we would be happy to answer your questions!
How Patients Can Help Get Their Claims paid by Insurance
Dealing with dental insurance can be frustrating, especially when the claims are denied or delayed. While Higginbotham Family Dental works hard to file claims accurately and advocate for patients, there are steps you can take to improve the chances of your insurance paying for your dental treatment.
Keep Your Insurance Updated with Us
One of the simplest yet most important things you can do is keep us updated with your most current insurance information. If you change jobs, switch insurance providers, or update your plan, notify us as soon as possible. Outdated information can lead to claim denials or delays, resulting in unexpected out0of-pocket costs. If you are uneasy about how much the insurance will pay, you can always request a pre-determination be sent to your insurance before starting treatment. This is still not a guarantee of payment, but will show what they say they should pay toward your dental treatment.
Contact Insurance When They Deny Your Treatment
If your insurance denies coverage for a treatment, don’t assume it’s final or that you are not responsible for the balance. Contact your insurance company directly to understand the reason for the denial. Before making the call, request details from your your dental office, such as treatment codes, the date of service, diagnosis with chief complaint, and the specific procedures performed. This information will help you present a strong case when arguing for payment. The patient always has more power with insurance companies than the dental office since the policy belongs to the patient. In many cases, a claim may be denied due to missing information or a simple coding error that can be corrected.
Follow Up With Your Dental Office on the Claim Status
Even after your claim is submitted, it’s essential to stay proactive. Follow up with your dental office to check on the status of your claim. Sometimes, insurance companies request additional documentation, and staying on top of the process can help prevent unnecessary delays. Your dental office can provide resubmissions, additional records, or letters of medical necessity if needed. Keep in mind most insurances have a timely filing clause, and if claims are out too long insurance could deny a payment. Our offices file claims only as a courtesy for our patients.
Make Sure Your Personal Details Are Accurate
Errors in personal patient details are a common reason insurance claims get denied. Ensure your dental office has the correct spelling of your name and family members names, your date of birth, social security number, and insurance member ID. If you have a secondary insurance, make sure to list both policies correctly to avoid processing delays. Any small discrepancy can cause insurance companies to reject a claim, so double-checking your information can prevent unnecessary issues.
Final Responsibility Falls on the Patient
While our staff at our dental offices do their best to verify benefits for patients and file claims correctly, insurance providers do not guarantee payment, even when the office is in-network and the treatment is necessary. If your claim is denied after multiple appeals, the remaining balance is ultimately your responsibility. Understanding your dental insurance policy and being proactive in the claims process can help you avoid unexpected expenses.
By taking these steps, you can improve the chances of your insurance covering your dental treatment while avoiding unnecessary stress. If you have any questions, Higginbotham Family Dental is always here to help guide you through the process!
Text, Call or Book Online For Your Next Dental Appointment
If you do not see your insurance listed, please contact the dentist office location near you via text or phone. Moreover, we are in-network with most insurances and may need to call to verify your benefits to verify.
Once you make an appointment we will verify your dental benefits. Additionally, we find out what you are eligible for and what percentage your insurance will pay on dental codes you may need. Furthermore, if you would like a copy of your dental benefits verifications, please inform the office staff. Ultimately, we aim to be your trusted dental provider and help you maximize your in-network insurance benefits. To make a dental appointment you can call, text or at your convenience, some people prefer scheduling online.
