Out of Network Doesn't Mean Out of Benefits

To help you decide on what’s best for you and your family, consider the following information about in-network and out-of-network insurance coverage:

In-network – If a dentist signs a contract with certain insurance companies, those insurance companies then control what the dentist can charge for the dental services they provide. This typically means that the in-network dentist will charge a lower price for dental work. Sounds good, right? The issue with in-network charges is that the dentist may attempt to see many more patients to make up the difference, and the quality of your treatment could suffer. This may compromise treatment or compromise the quality of materials used during your treatment for things like materials, instruments, labs, etc.

Out-of-network – If you choose an out-of-network dentist, they still file with your insurance company, but they can set their own prices and offer treatments and services that your insurance company may deny. In short, the quality of your dental care could likely improve with an out-of-network provider.   Also, your insurance company may pay an out-of-network dentist nearly the same amount as an in-network dentist. It’s certainly worth checking!