Dental insurance can be an effective way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for everything from routine exams to more complex procedures. Most of these policies are designed to promote proper prevention and include up to 100% of standard services, then usually also contribute 50% to 80% of other required treatments.
However, your plan might also include other restrictions before benefits take effect, such as a waiting period that must pass for them to be applicable. If you’re worried about the delay or are curious why it’s included, continue reading to learn more!
What is a Dental Insurance Waiting Period?
A dental insurance waiting period refers to a predetermined length of time that must pass before your full dental benefits can be applied to your appointments. This timeframe differs from plan to plan, and can range between 30 days to 1 year, though it’s more commonly a 6-month period.
But this restriction doesn’t necessarily apply to every visit or every patient consistently. For example, some plans include a waiting period for specific procedures, such as a root canal or dental crown, while others don’t include them at all.
Why Do Policies Include a Waiting Period?
Are you curious why dental insurance providers feel that this wait time is necessary? It’s normal to wonder why they would want to prevent you from seeking necessary services right away, but this wait time is included to benefit everyone involved: you, your dentist, and the insurance provider.
Including a wait period ensures that people don’t purchase dental insurance solely to undergo more complex or lengthy procedures, which in many cases could have been avoided if appropriate preventive measures had been taken. This helps keep the cost of treatments low across the board.
Can I Still Visit the Dentist During this Time?
If it’s been a while since your last dental checkup and your new policy has a waiting period, you might worry that you’ll develop an oral issue if you have to wait to be seen. Thankfully, many waiting periods only apply to more complex procedures, so that you can still benefit from routine preventive services that are covered by your policy.
However, every plan is different and there are no guarantees, so it’s worth verifying your information before scheduling your appointment. If you’re unsure or need help finding the information, you can ask your dental office for help. They are familiar with various policies and can help you maximize your available benefits.
Meet the Author
Dr. Eduart Shkurti has nearly 20 years of experience helping improve people’s lives by enhancing their dental health. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California School of Dental Medicine, and today, is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Dental Association. He is committed to continuing education so he can offer a comprehensive menu of up-to-date services using advanced technology for more accurate, comfortable results. His office welcomes most major dental HMO and PPO plans. You can request an appointment on the website or call (718) 806-1662.