There are many components to dental insurance that can be difficult to fully understand. It’s often viewed as a hassle because of the challenging terminology and convoluted explanations regarding exclusions, coverage levels, and other similar aspects of a plan. One facet many individuals struggle to understand is the notion of waiting periods. What are they and how do they work? Keep reading to find out.
What Are Waiting Periods?
A waiting period is the span of time after you purchase a plan that you are required to wait before your available benefits can be fully used. It is during this time that you should not expect any financial contributions from your insurance company, as they are under no obligation to pay any portion of your treatment.
Each waiting period is different, so while some only last six months, others may require a full year.
Why Do Waiting Periods Exist?
It’s important to remember that not all dental plans have waiting periods. If yours does, it may not apply to all benefits. For example, routine preventive care is typically not included.
The reason many dental insurance companies incorporate waiting periods into their plans, though, is to lower the potential for someone to purchase a plan because they have an upcoming procedure, only to drop it once the policy expires.
Some companies choose to incorporate waiting periods as a way to help lower monthly premiums for policyholders.
What Kinds of Procedures Have Waiting Periods?
While this is not always the case, as each dental insurance company has its own rules, waiting periods tend to apply when needing a more invasive or complex procedure. This can include:
- Dental crowns
- Dental bridges
- Dental implants
- Tooth extractions
- Root canal treatment
If you need to move forward with a procedure but the waiting period is still in effect, you might consider asking your dentist about ways to lower the cost. Some professionals partner with third-party companies to provide flexible financing so that you can pay off your treatment over time.
This can often be a helpful solution when you don’t have time to wait for your dental insurance plan to kick in. What you don’t want to do is avoid treatment and allow the problem to worsen.
It might seem frustrating if your plan includes a waiting period; however, now that you know why they exist and how they work, you and your dentist can address your oral healthcare needs with your budget in mind.
About the Author
Dr. Albert Kim is a trusted dentist in Pecan Grove who earned his dental degree from the NYU College of Dentistry in 2013. Offering accessible and affordable dental services to patients of all ages, he and his team are pleased to be in-network with many different PPO dental insurance plans. Not only will we work to maximize all available benefits, but we’ll also take care of the claims filing and additional paperwork required. If you need treatment but are unsure about the details of your dental insurance plan, visit our website or call (832) 220-9324.