What Is A Dental Insurance Waiting Period?

Having a dental insurance plan is a great step towards keeping your smile healthy long-term, but finding the right package can be intimidating. There are so many factors to consider including premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and specific benefits provided. One thing many people don’t realize is that many plans also have a waiting period. Continue reading if you’re searching for coverage, or recently purchased a plan, and want to know more about why it’s there and what it means!

What Is A Dental Insurance Waiting Period?

Essentially, a dental insurance waiting period refers to the length of time you must wait from the time you purchase the plan to when coverage for certain benefits begins. This period can be anywhere from 30 days to a year. Not all dental plans include a waiting period, but many do.

It’s entirely possible that you can still visit the dentist for basic checkups and preventative care during the waiting period of your dental insurance. Often, the waiting period only applies to certain procedures or surgeries like dental crowns, bridges, and implants. Providers are able to decide on different benefits, though, so be sure to look into what is covered if your insurance includes a delay for certain services.

Why Is There A Dental Insurance Waiting Period?

The intent behind the waiting period is to keep overall coverage costs low to benefit as many patients as possible. It ensures that coverage is used as intended and that the system isn’t taken advantage of. If there was no waiting period, insurance could be purchased specifically to cover a desired treatment like an expensive surgery and then dropped once completed. This eventually would result in higher costs across the board for everyone with dental insurance. With a waiting period in place, the objective is to care for your teeth over time to avoid potential problems down the road.

If you’re unsure about whether your dental insurance package includes a waiting period, you can usually find that information on your insurance provider’s website. There are often online documents that lay out the details of the various plans so you know exactly what is covered and when. If you cannot find the information or still have questions, you can call the customer service line for your provider and a representative can walk you through the details.  They’re well-versed in the terminologies and complexities of dental insurance plans, and can help you understand how to best use your benefits for a healthy smile that lasts!

About the Practice

Anderson Dental Center has multiple dentists on staff as well as an orthodontist and an oral surgeon. That means you can find solutions for all your oral healthcare needs under one roof instead of having to visit multiple offices for certain treatments. They are in-network with most major insurance providers, which means you’ll get the most savings possible from your insurance plan. If you would like to make an appointment, you are welcome to request one on the website or by calling (201) 546-7435.