Many patients rely on their dental insurance to help them afford everything from routine checkups and cleanings to more complex services. These plans often cover up to 100% of preventive care and anywhere from 50% to 80% of many other treatments needed to repair, protect, and restore your smile.
However, many of these policies also include a waiting period, which often takes people by surprise. Continue reading to learn more about why this restriction is sometimes included and how it works to gain a better understanding of your available benefits!
What is a Dental Insurance Waiting Period?
If you have a new dental insurance plan with a waiting period, or your current policy was recently updated to include one, but you’re unfamiliar with this requirement, it’s only natural to have questions. For instance, you’re likely wondering what having one means and how it applies to your dental coverage and visits.
A waiting period is the predetermined amount of time that must pass once your policy is activated before benefits kick in. It can range anywhere from 30 days to 1 year, though a 6-month timeframe is common.
Why Does My Policy Include a Waiting Period?
Not all policies include a waiting period, and those that do often apply it only to specific procedures. As a result, you might wonder why this window is included at all if it doesn’t apply to all plans or treatments.
But the truth is that this restriction is intended to help keep your insurance costs low in the long run. Without this protection in place, patients could purchase a policy just long enough to undergo a costly, complex procedure, such as a root canal or getting a dental crown, and then drop their coverage. This would raise costs across the board for the patient undergoing the procedure, the dentist offering the service, and the insurance provider.
Can I Still Visit the Dentist if I Need To?
If your plan requires that you wait a designated length of time to undergo certain procedures, you might wonder whether it’s okay to visit your dentist for more routine maintenance. Thankfully, preventive services like checkups, cleanings, and X-rays are often exempt from the waiting period. That means you can still visit your provider for standard visits every six months to help avoid common oral concerns, such as cavities, periodontal problems, or other chronic bad breath.
Fortunately, not all dental insurance plans have a waiting period. If you’re concerned about not having access to your benefits when you need them, it might be worth finding a policy that doesn’t include one!
About the Practice
Patients with Kristin B. Petulla, DDS, benefit from award-winning services provided by two dentists passionate about helping patients build their happiest, healthiest smiles. Dr. Petulla and Dr. Kazemi share decades of experience and offer a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages at one convenient location. They accept dental insurance and are happy to help you maximize your available benefits. If you’re uninsured and are concerned about costs, they also offer low-to-no-interest payment plans through Lending Club and Care Credit. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (856) 983-4846.