Most major decisions, even when it comes to your health, are heavily influenced by cost. It’s totally not out of the question for you to wonder if a dental treatment is really worth it if it’s going to drain your wallet. So if your dentist told you that you need dental implants, you probably want to know how expensive they are first and if they’re covered by insurance.

Read down below to find out more on whether or not dental implant surgery is indeed covered by your health insurance and what the out-of-pocket cost might look like if it isn’t.

So, are the costs of dental implants covered by insurance? Well, in the past, most insurances actually did not cover the cost of dental implants but instead offered to pay for alternative solutions like dentures because they were cheaper for the insurance company to pay for. However, that’s slowly started to change over the years.

More and more insurance companies are starting to change their coverage policies to fully or partially cover dental implants. Here’s what the American Academy of Implant Dentistry has to say the subject:

Are dental implants covered by insurance?

“Recognizing the long-term patient benefits over other treatment options, an increasing number of insurance companies have started providing some coverage. If yours doesn’t, ask them if they will give you an allowance towards dental implants equal to the cost of a bridge or traditional dentures. Also ask your implant dentist about financing and payment options. Locate an implant dentist near you.”

 

Let’s say your insurance happens to not cover the cost of dental implants. You’ll definitely be curious to know then how much the out-of-pocket cost for implant surgery will end up being. In the article below, Authority Dental reviews the average costs for both scenarios (insurance coverage versus no coverage). Take a look.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost? The Average Prices For Full Mouth & Single Tooth Implants

“A single-tooth dental implant cost between $1,000 and $3,000. The abutment and crown add between $500 and $3,000. So, the cost of a full dental implant is between $1,500 and $6,000.

This is the average out-of-pocket price without the help of dental insurance or discount plans. This estimate includes dental implant surgery and some associated costs such as the initial consultation), but the total cost of your procedure may be even higher depending on your circumstances.”

 

If your insurance policy doesn’t cover even the partial cost of your dental implant(s), don’t lose hope. There are still other options that will get you the financial assistance you need. In fact, most dental clinics will over a broad range of payment options to help patients who don’t have full-coverage insurance plans to pay for their dental implant.

Dental care providers just want their patients to get the treatment they deserve, so don’t miss out on your opportunity by stressing over the initial cost of your dental implant procedure. Colgate explores these options down below.

Dental Implants Cost Explained

Dental Discount Plans
One way to pay less for implants is to join a dental discount plan, many of which offer 5 to 40 percent off dental implants cost, according to the New York Times. Make sure the plan you’re considering does offer a discount on implants, and check if the plan has a waiting period before you can use the discount.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Another option, if you have a flexible spending account at work, is to use assets from that account to pay part of the cost. Often you can benefit from this by basing coverage on the two-part process of getting an implant: putting in the implant and then covering it with a crown six to 12 weeks later. TIME suggests scheduling the implant at the end of a calendar year, and then receiving your crown the following year. This schedule lets you use money from two years of your pretax flexible spending account, saving you as much as 30 percent if you’re in a higher tax bracket.

Of course, ask your dentist about financing plans as well.”

To see if your insurance covers the cost of your dental implant procedure, be sure to consult with All-In-One Dental Innovations today by calling us at (925) 828-9811!

Related article: Understanding the Differences Between Endosteal and Subperiosteal Dental Implants