Dental Cost Calculator

Dental care costs can be expensive. But with a good dental insurance plan, you can save money in the long run.

Dental insurance deductibles and coinsurance are an important part of the overall cost of dental care. Typically, dental insurance companies cover 80% of basic care and 50% of major care.

How to use the calculator

The dental cost calculator is an online tool that allows you to estimate the costs of your care. It can be helpful in determining whether or not your plan covers the procedure you need, and it is also useful for estimating the amount you will need to pay out of pocket.

The calculator works by comparing the prices charged by different providers in your area, taking into account your plan’s benefits and coverage percentages. You can use it for both in-network and out-of-network care. The version of the tool that is available to the public (does not require a sign-in) uses provider fee schedules and aggregated historical cost data, while the secure version only available to members uses actual submitted claims information.

The tool also groups together services that are commonly delivered to address the same dental issue. However, it is not a recommendation that you should or should not receive these services, as the decision to do so is one you must make with your dentist. You will need to use other factors to decide if the recommended treatment is right for you, including your preferences and risk tolerance. For example, you might not be willing to get a costly but necessary service if it would cause you financial hardship.

Getting started

Dental insurance is a lot like health insurance, except that it usually covers only dental work and has lower premiums. However, the details of dental insurance can still be complex. For example, dental insurance policies often include a deductible and coinsurance. A deductible is a fixed percentage that patients must pay on each claim before the insurance company will start paying for the procedure. This amount can be expensive, especially if the patient needs to use it for multiple visits.

A coinsurance is a fixed percentage of the cost of the procedure that patients must pay after their deductible. Some policies also have an annual maximum and waiting periods for certain procedures. The cost estimator helps employees understand the complexities of their benefits so they can make the best decisions about their care. The tool lets employees select any procedure from a list and add additional services to get the most accurate estimate. Employees can also compare costs between in-network and out-of-network dentists.

When you are clear with your patients about their insurance costs, they will be more grateful for the service that your office provides. However, many dental front desk teams struggle with this task. This can lead to frustrated or angry patients, and it can also result in lost revenue for your practice. To avoid these problems, learn how to calculate patients’ out-of-pocket costs correctly and explain the reasoning behind it.

Requirements

The calculator is only available for Delta Dental members with active coverage and who are logged in to Guardian Anytime. To find dental pricing, you must enter a procedure code or keyword and select a category in the search box. You can also enter a ZIP Code to get estimates for both out-of-network and Delta Dental participating dentists in that area.

The cost estimate tool is a valuable resource to help you provide your patients with the information they need to make informed decisions. You’ll be better able to build trust with your patients when they can understand the math behind their insurance costs and how their deductibles, coverage percentages, downgrades and other factors affect their responsibility. To learn more about these complexities and how to properly calculate out-of-pocket costs, visit our Learning Center.

It’s important to always be clear with your patients on how much they owe for their visits. For example, if a patient has a $100 filling that their insurance covers 80% of, they are responsible for the other 20%. This calculation may seem simple, but it’s often an area of confusion for front office teams.

Finding a dentist

It’s important to find a dentist that’s a good fit for your family. Personalities and dental office policies can make the difference between a pleasant experience and one that’s frustrating. It’s also important to choose a dentist who’s in your network so that you can take advantage of your dental insurance benefits.

Visiting several dentists in person is a great way to get a feel for the office and staff. You can meet the dentist, get a tour of the facility, and see how comfortable you are in their treatment room. It’s also a good idea to look at their website and read online reviews to find out what other patients have to say about their experiences.

If you have a particular dental issue, you may want to consider finding a specialist. These are dentists who have spent an additional 3-4 years in school to learn about a specific type of treatment. Specialists can help you avoid the hassle of being referred to another clinic and ensure that you’re getting the best possible care.

It’s also important to find a dentist who communicates costs clearly to their patients. We’ve seen many dental offices that miscalculate their patients’ out-of-pocket costs, which can lead to frustrated and angry patients. By taking the time to teach your patients how to read their insurance plan and understand the cost of their services, you can build trust and loyalty in your practice.