Is Dental Implant Treatment Covered by Dental Insurance?
Posted on December 27, 2014
Individual insurance policies determine the amount of coverage for dental implant treatment, although dental benefits usually have an annual maximum of $1,000 to $1,500 per year. Since the amount of coverage is determined strictly by what is spent on the policy, there are many limitations on most plans.
Dental insurance companies design plans to cover routine maintenance, emergencies and basic care. Statistical date is used to determine the most commonly used procedures. The insurance companies determine their own “usual and customary fee” schedule for procedures, based on the cost of the plan. This also dictates the specific restrictions and limitations for each plan. Since most plans are only intended to cover basic care, the annual maximum benefit for most plans is $1,000-$1,500 per year.
Many companies exclude dental implants as a covered benefit, although they will pay for the lowest cost alternative treatment option (partials and dentures) and some of the tooth extractions and diagnostic records. Even if an insurance plan includes dental implants as a covered benefit, it is still limited to the policy’s annual maximum.