Open enrollment for insurance plans usually starts in October. We’d like to provide our patients with some information about what to ask when looking at dental benefits. A key thing to remember is that dental insurance is not really insurance; it is a benefit. Dental benefits define how much will be covered UP TO a certain amount, regardless of the dental services rendered. Here are a few questions to ask your Human Resources (HR) Department or the insurance companies you are looking at.

Please know that we participate in the Delta Dental Premier Network, Cigna DPPO Total Network, and Grid+ Network.

1. Can I go to any dentist I choose?

2. Can I go to an out-of-network dentist and still have my services covered?

3. How much will this plan pay for the following codes, and does the deductible apply?

D0150=Comp exam
D0120=Periodic exam
D1110=Adult prophy
D1120=Child prophy (to age 14)
D0274=4 X-rays
D0220=Periapical X-ray
D2740=Porcelain crown
D2740=Porcelain crown
D7140=Extraction
D7210=Surgical extraction
D2160=3 surface amalgam filling
D2332=3 surface composite filling

4. Are exams and cleanings covered twice per year (less than 6 months apart) or once per 6 months?

5. How often are X-rays covered?

For Delta Dental & Cigna Plans:

6. Does my employer have their own fee schedule or is payment based on the doctor’s contracted in-network fee schedule?

7. Can I go to any Delta Dental Premier/Cigna DPPO Total provider, or am I limited to certain ones?