Understanding Insurance at Our Oral Surgery Office
Navigating through dental insurance can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to make the process as transparent and straightforward as possible. This guide will help you understand how insurance works in our office and what to expect regarding insurance claims and payments.
How Dental Insurance Works
Dental insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company, designed to partially cover dental care costs. Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance has distinct coverage and benefits, especially concerning oral surgery procedures.
What Our Office Does
Verification of Benefits: Before your appointment, we check your insurance benefits to estimate your out-of-pocket costs. This helps us provide you with a more accurate financial estimate before your treatment.
Filing Claims: Our office files insurance claims on your behalf post-treatment. We ensure that all necessary documentation is correctly submitted to expedite the claim process. Typically, insurance claims can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to process, depending on your insurance company. If you have multiple insurances, this can sometimes take 1-2 months or more.
Pre-Authorizations and Estimates: For some procedures, we may need to secure pre-authorization from your insurance company to confirm coverage. This process is crucial for planned procedures but might not be feasible for same-day consults and surgeries. In such cases, we provide an ESTIMATED COST based on your insurance benefits. Please understand that this is strictly an estimate, and the final cost to you may vary.
Important Considerations for Same-Day Consult and Surgery
Our office is proud to offer the convenience of same-day consults and surgeries. Given the quick turnaround, it may not be possible to receive immediate confirmation from insurance companies regarding coverage specifics. Here’s what you need to know:
Estimates Are Preliminary: For same-day services, we base your estimated out-of-pocket costs on the most current information available from your insurance provider. However, these estimates are not final. We strive for accuracy, but without direct confirmation from the insurance company, we must treat these numbers as preliminary. If you desire to have as accurate an estimate as possible, the procedure may need to be completed after hearing from your insurance company.
Responsibility of Payment: It’s important to understand that regardless of the insurance company’s eventual contribution, the total cost of your treatment is ultimately your responsibility. We recommend preparing for the possibility that the final amount owed could differ from the initial estimate.
Communication and Updates: We commit to keeping you informed throughout the insurance claim process. Once we receive the final determination from your insurance company, we will update you on any balance due or refund owed as quickly as possible.
Your Role
Stay Informed: Knowing the details of your insurance plan (coverage, deductibles, co-payments) is vital. This knowledge helps you understand potential out-of-pocket costs better. You are always welcome to contact your insurance company to independently verify your benefits. Please record a reference number from your conversation with any insurance company representative.
Keep Us Updated: Changes in your insurance information can affect claim processing. Please inform us promptly of any updates to your policy.
Payment and Reimbursement: If you’re undergoing a procedure on the same day as your consultation, you may be asked to pay based on the estimated cost. Should your insurance cover more than anticipated, we will reimburse the difference.
We’re Here to Help
Insurance matters can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our team is always available to answer your questions and provide assistance. Our goal is to ensure you have a clear understanding of your financial responsibilities and the insurance process.
Your Health is Our Priority
At Hermitage Oral Surgery, we’re dedicated to providing not just exceptional oral health care but also transparent, honest communication about all aspects of your treatment, including insurance and financial obligations. We are on your team!
Exceptional Oral Surgery Care at Hermitage Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Experience outstanding oral surgery with state-of-the-art technology, specialized services, and no referrals required. Discover compassionate care and exceptional results at Hermitage Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.