For many people, insurance is the key to getting the treatments they need without breaking the bank. To that end, you likely have medical insurance as well as dental insurance. These two types of insurance may seem similar on the surface, but what makes them different from one another? And which one will help cover your oral surgery? Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your benefits.
What Makes Medical Insurance Different from Dental Insurance?
Medical and dental insurance are not completely dissimilar. Both of them require you to pay a monthly premium in exchange for coverage. They also come with deductibles that you will need to meet before your insurance company agrees to pay for any treatments.
However, there is one major difference between these two types of insurance: their main focus. Medical insurance is largely meant to help you pay for care in the event that you suffer from a sudden injury or illness. Meanwhile, dental insurance is meant to encourage prevention; while it does help pay for restorative care, it offers better coverage for services meant to stop problems from happening in the first place, such as biannual dental cleanings.
Will Medical Insurance or Dental Insurance Pay for Your Oral Surgery?
Normally, the question of whether you will use medical insurance or dental insurance to cover a given treatment is fairly clear-cut. However, oral surgery is unique in that it can potentially fall under either one. The exact details of coverage can vary depending on what plan you have. That said, you can generally expect certain types of major oral surgery to be covered under medical insurance.
It’s best to confirm your benefits before you commit to any sort of procedure. Take a close look at your dental and medical plans to get a firm idea of what is and isn’t covered under both. If there is anything that you’re unclear about, you can get in touch with your insurance company. Alternatively, the team at your oral surgeon’s office can review your insurance policies with you and help you figure out the best way to maximize your benefits.
Medical insurance and dental insurance are both valuable tools that can aid you in fitting important treatments into your budget. No matter which type of insurance helps pay for your oral surgery, it’s crucial to have a full understanding of your benefits so that you can be sure that you’re getting the absolute most out of them.
About the Practice
Here at Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery in Reston, we have an entire team of oral surgeons that you can trust to do what’s best for your mouth. From wisdom teeth extractions to full mouth restorations, you can turn to us for all kinds of advanced procedures. We accept many different kinds of medical and dental insurance (including Aetna) in order to help make our services more affordable for our patients. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (703) 736-1640.