Does the prospect of visiting your dentist make you feel uncomfortable? You might be nervous or even afraid. You are in good company; countless millions of people feel uneasy when they visit their dentist. The good news is that your dental care team wants you to be comfortable, so they may be able to provide sedation to help you have an easy treatment experience. Still, you might wonder how this provision will affect the cost of your care. Does dental insurance cover sedation, or will you have to pay for it out of pocket? The answer to that question can vary from case to case. This blog post explains some important points that you should keep in mind.
Dental Insurance and Sedation Dentistry
It is important to note that while many dental insurance plans have some aspects in common, they can vary greatly in other respects. You should check the details of your unique policy to find out how it applies to sedation.
With that being said, it is possible to provide some generalized information about how insurance typically handles sedation. Sadly, despite its proven benefits, sedation is often regarded as a purely elective aspect of dental care. Because if that, insurance is unlikely to cover it.
Of course, there are a handful of exceptions. Some circumstances increase the chances that your insurance will cover sedation.
When Does Insurance Cover Sedation?
Your insurance might be more likely to cover sedation if:
- Sedation may decrease the total cost of your care. For example, it might allow your dentist to finish a complex procedure in a single appointment rather than across multiple sessions.
- Mild sedation will be used. Oral conscious sedation is more likely to receive coverage than IV sedation or general anesthesia.
- You have certain medical conditions. Some illnesses and disabilities can make it impossible for a person to undergo dental treatment without the help of sedation.
- You need a complex or invasive treatment. Some types of oral surgery, such as multiple extractions, can be quite uncomfortable without sedation, especially for patients who are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
What if Your Insurance Will Not Help?
Even if your insurance will not cover sedation, you may still have some options available to you:
- Ask about financial help. You might be eligible for financing or other provisions that would make it easier to manage the cost of your care.
- Talk to your dentist. If you choose not to get sedation, be sure that your dentist knows how you feel about treatment. They may be extra gentle during your appointment or take other steps to make you as comfortable as possible.
Dental insurance and sedation do not always have a straightforward relationship. Learn what your policy covers so you can be prepared to manage the cost of necessary dental care.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Jonathan and Laura Mears are the experienced, friendly dentists at JL Dental. They are a husband-and-wife team who always strive to provide a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere for patients. Our team accepts insurance, and oral conscious sedation is available for individuals who are nervous about their treatment. To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our Arnold, MO, office at 636-464-6668.