With dental insurance, you need to make sure that you fully understand the details. It’s easy to assume that you’ll have full access to all your benefits the moment you purchase your plan. However, you may find out that said plan comes with a waiting period. What exactly is a dental insurance waiting period, and what does it mean for your coverage? Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Dental Insurance Waiting Period?
A waiting period is exactly what it sounds like: a specific length of time that you need to wait before you can use your dental insurance benefits to pay for certain services and procedures. Some waiting periods are as short as 30 days, but others are as long as an entire year.
Bear in mind that not all dental plans come with a waiting period. In fact, employer-based dental plans often don’t have them. Nevertheless, if you just purchased dental insurance, it’s important to be aware of any waiting periods that could affect the amount that you need to pay out of your own pocket for dental care.
How Exactly Do Dental Insurance Waiting Periods Work?
Simply put, different types of dental services come with different waiting periods. The specifics can vary from plan to plan, but here’s what you can generally expect:
- Preventive dental services such as routine cleanings often don’t come with any waiting period whatsoever, allowing you to use your benefits right away.
- Basic procedures often have a waiting period in the range of three to six months.
- Major procedures may have a six-month waiting period or even a one-year waiting period.
Note that what’s classified as a “basic” or “major” procedure can depend on which plan you have. This is the sort of detail that you will want to clarify before you make any commitments regarding dental care.
Why Does Dental Insurance Come with Waiting Periods?
Simply put, dental insurance companies use waiting periods in order to keep costs under control. Without a waiting period, some customers may be tempted to purchase a plan to pay for a major procedure, then cancel it immediately afterward. Waiting periods help ensure that people actually stick to their plans for the long term. This is beneficial for both you and the insurance company, as it helps reduce the cost of premiums and coverage.
If you’re planning on undergoing an important dental procedure in the near future, then it’s essential to be aware of the specifics of your dental insurance coverage, and that includes any waiting periods that might still be in effect. Don’t be afraid to speak to the team at your dental office if you have any insurance-related questions.
About the Practice
Here at Painesville Dental Group, we have multiple experienced and friendly dentists who are fully dedicated to helping our patients enjoy bright, healthy smiles. We accept a variety of dental insurance plans and are in-network with popular providers such as Delta Dental Premier. If you would like to schedule a consultation at our office, visit our website or call (440) 354-2183.