If you need a root canal, you may have some questions regarding the cost of the procedure. Will my dental insurance cover a root canal? Will it cover part or all of the cost? What if I don’t have dental insurance?
This article will answer these questions and more so that you will have a better idea of how dental insurance contributes to the cost of a root canal procedure.
Will My Dental Insurance Cover My Root Canal?
The best way to find out this information is to look over the benefits manual that was provided by your employer or insurance provider. If you don’t have one, call your dental insurance provider and ask about your benefits.
Basic dental insurance may not cover root canals, only the cost of preventive care such as exams and cleanings. A higher tier plan may cover part of the cost and may or may not include a deductible that has to be met first. You would most likely need a top tier dental insurance plan for 100% of the cost to be covered, and it would likely come with a fairly steep premium.
How Does an Insurance Deductible Work?
For insurance plans that include a deductible, it is similar to other insurance plans like car insurance or homeowner’s insurance. Basically, you have to pay so much out of pocket until the deductible is met, after which the insurance company pays a portion or all of the cost.
For example, if your deductible was $1,500 and your root canal procedure costs $1,000, you’d be paying the entire cost out of pocket. However, if you’ve had other dental work done in the same fiscal year, the cost of that procedure would also contribute to the deductible. So if you’d already had $1,000 worth of dental work done, you’d only pay $500 of your root canal procedure out of pocket before your insurance would kick in. (These amounts are merely examples and do not reflect the actual cost of procedures or insurance deductibles).
What Does It Mean for Your Dentist to Be In-Network With Your Insurance Provider?
You may have heard that it costs you less out of pocket if you go to a dentist that is in-network with your insurance provider. What this means is that your dentist and your insurance company have a preset agreement regarding the cost of procedures and the coverage your insurance company will provide. Your dentist will be able to provide you with specific information about what your plan will cover and will likely only charge you your portion of the cost because they are sure to receive the rest from your insurance.
It is possible to see a dentist that is not in-network with your insurance provider. This simply means that your dental office will send a claim to your insurance company for the cost of your procedure. If your insurance covers less than what was expected, you are responsible for the difference, and if it was more you will receive a credit.
What If I Don’t Have Dental Insurance?
Just because you don’t have insurance doesn’t mean you won’t be able to receive treatment. There are ways to finance the cost of dental procedures so that you can pay for them over time on a monthly basis. CareCredit is one way to finance medical costs of all kinds. It is interest free if you pay off your balance within the first year.
Tangredi Endodontics Makes Root Canals Affordable
At Tangredi Endodontics we will not turn a patient away for not having insurance. We believe in your right to dental care and understand the pain of an infected tooth in need of a root canal. Whether you have dental insurance or you’ll need to finance your care, Tangredi Endodontics is here for you.
Call 516-746-3636 today to schedule a visit or request an appointment. We will work with you regardless of insurance to restore your dental health.