Dental Insurance – It is not really insurance at all!
"Yes . . . but how much will my insurance cover?
We have never thought it was fair to charge different fees for the same procedure to different patients just because they have a different benefit plan or dental insurance or no plan at all. We have set our fee schedule based on providing a level of service and a quality of product that we would like to receive ourselves or for our family members.
“Do you want to tell me where to cut corners for your or your family’s treatment?”
The benefits that you receive from your dental insurance are based on the contract between your employer and the dental insurance company. The procedures covered, the reimbursement level on each procedure, and the annual maximum benefit determine the cost of the policy for the employer. There are hundreds of dental benefit plans or dental insurance plans available for employers to choose from and dental insurance companies will provide the plan that fits what the employer is willing to pay per employee.
Your insurance may not allow the best care for YOUR situation!
“If dental benefits kept up with inflation they would cover $8,500 per year.” Dental benefit plans or dental insurance first originated in the 1960’s and at that time, these plans usually offered annual maximum benefits of $1,000 to $1,500. Depending on whether you start with $1,000 or $1,500 and use 4% inflation over the past 50 years, equivalent dental benefits should now cover $7,000 to $10,000 annually.
Patient’s may ask,“Why doesn’t Dr. Gillis accept my dental insurance plan?” We accept all dental plans, but we are not contracted with any plans to accept their fee schedule; therefore, you will not find Dr. Gillis listed on your plan’s recommended dentist or “Preferred Provider” list. “Preferred Providers” are not “better” they are just dentists that have signed a contract to provide dental services at or below a fee that is specified by the dental insurance company. This often includes procedures not even covered by the plan. Dentists who are looking for new patients may accept these reduced fees and consider the difference a marketing fee paid to bring in patients. A dentist might accept a reduced fee from patients in a particular plan and then charge their other patients a slightly higher fee to make up the lost revenue from the plan’s patients – we don’t do this!
Your dental insurance may not allow the best care for YOUR situation!
Our office will do everything possible to help you understand and make the most of your dental benefits including electronically submitting your claims. Please call us or ask us on your next visit. We would be happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Our office is dedicated to helping you save your teeth and helping you to maintain a healthy mouth. We would be happy to answer your questions about dental care, dental insurance and health! Our office is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Our phone number is (970) 242-3635. Please visit us on Facebook (see Julie Gillis DDS PC) or call us if you have any questions or concerns. You can also email our office at jmgdds@qwestoffice.net for further information.