Buying dental insurance is one of the best things you can do if you care about maintaining a healthy and bright smile—and if you’ve just gained access to these benefits, you’re probably quite eager to use them! However, when it comes to dental insurance, one thing you should always keep in mind concerns waiting periods, as these can influence some of the choices you make when it comes to receiving care. Continue reading to learn more!
What Are Dental Insurance Waiting Periods?
To put it simply, a dental insurance waiting period is the length of time you must wait before your full dental benefits kick in and you can begin using them. During this period, your plan may not offer coverage for certain dental services or procedures. And depending on the plan you’ve selected, this waiting period may be anywhere from one month to one year. If your plan has one of these periods, it’ll be listed in your benefits summary along with the length of time before full coverage begins, along with all applicable procedures.
Often, routine preventive care is still covered during these periods—restrictions usually apply to specific procedures such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants. It’s also worth noting that not every dental plan has a waiting period, including many employer-based plans. In any case, these periods vary heavily from plan to plan and you should always keep tabs on the details of your individual policy.
Why Do These Periods Exist?
Dental insurance waiting periods exist to help keep insurance costs low in the long run. It’s kind of like insurance for your insurance company; these periods encourage patients to seek out regular treatment, rather than only purchasing it at the last minute and then dropping it once it’s no longer necessary. If the majority of people carry dental insurance, even when their smiles are healthy, it helps to keep the cost of insurance coverage and premiums lower for everyone else!
While dental insurance waiting periods might seem like an inconvenience, they serve a very important purpose for both insurers and policyholders alike. In all cases, just be sure to review your policy details carefully so that you’re always making the most of your plan while managing your oral healthcare needs!
About the Practice
The team at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Reston community for several years, offering a wide range of services including life-changing dental implants! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to schedule a visit, you can visit them online or call them today for additional information or assistance. Telephone: (571) 200-2038.