For most people, the cost is an important factor when choosing a dentist. There’s also a big misconception that the out-of-network dentist cost will always be higher than an in-network dentist but that isn’t necessarily the case. If you’re wondering what does “out of network” mean for dental insurance and how that should factor into choosing a dentist, we’ve got five reasons why choosing an out-of-network dentist may be best for you.
First, let’s get one thing straight. Just because a dentist is out of network doesn’t mean your dental insurance won’t cover their services. The services of many dentists like Dr. Laura Loftin, dentist Fort Worth, are covered by dental insurance out of network plans, like PPO (preferred provider organization) insurance plans. Your plan may also give you the option to choose in network vs out of network dental insurance services but offer different levels of coverage based on which route you go.
What does out-of-network mean for dental insurance anyway?
To reduce the amount of money they pay out for dental services, some insurance companies will have a network of dentists who have agreed to accept a reduced fee for the services they offer. If you choose to go to a dentist who isn’t part of the network—or out of network dental office—that dentist may charge full price.
With out of network dental insurance, you may have to pay the difference or pay a certain percentage of covered charges for an out of network dentist, which is known as coinsurance. On the other hand, when comparing in network vs out of network dental insurance costs, it’s important to note that you typically don’t pay a co-pay for your out of network dentist cost, while you probably will pay a co-pay for an in-network dentist visit.
While insurance companies want you to believe that you will pay less if you go to a dentist in their network, that’s not always the case. In fact, you could end up paying less in the long run if you go to an out of network dentist instead of an in-network dentist. Sound crazy? Then read on!
Five reasons an out of network dentist may be a better option for you
No. 1: You have the option to see any dentist you choose.
And this is really important. If you had the option (and you do) wouldn’t you rather go to a dentist who has more experience and gets great reviews vs. a doctor who has only been practicing dentistry for a couple of years with not-so-hot reviews?
The reality is that many dental offices that align with insurance companies, AKA in-network dental offices, employ young, inexperienced dentists, or they have a high turnover rate. Once those dentists get experience under their belts and a following, they move on, so they can earn more for the services they provide.
The bottom line here is that if you opt for an in-network dentist, you might end up with a dentist who isn’t that great. And when you go to a dentist who isn’t that great you could end up having unnecessary pain or issues with the dental procedure they provided, like a crown that doesn’t fit correctly or comes loose or veneers that don’t match the rest of your teeth.
No. 2: You get to decide what type of treatment you receive.
With in-network dentists, insurance companies dictate what treatment you receive. For example, a patient needing a tooth replaced could end up having insurance only pay for a partial denture because it’s the least expensive procedure for the insurance company to cover.
On the other hand, an out-of-network dentist would likely recommend a dental implant as the preferred option because it’s the next best thing to your real, natural tooth. So, all of this time you’ve been paying dental insurance along with co-pays to your in-network dentist, then when you want to get a dental implant instead of a partial denture, guess who pays the majority of that cost? You.
No. 3: You’re less likely to get over diagnosed.
The cost of running a dental office is about the same for all dentists, so in-network dental offices need to find a way to recoup money they lose by accepting discounted fees. This often means is they will overdiagnose you to recoup that money.
For example, you may just need a large filling in a tooth but the in-network office will say you need the tooth pulled and an implant placed, so they can make the same amount (and probably more) than an out-of-network provider. What this essentially means is that the in-network dental office could end up taking more money from you—and for a procedure you didn’t need in the first place.
Dr. Laura Loftin, dentist Fort Worth, believes in educating patients about all of their options and letting the patient choose which dental treatment makes the most sense for them both aesthetically and financially. She won’t put patients through unnecessary pain, inconvenience, or expense because it simply isn’t the right thing to do. Plus, Dr. Loftin doesn’t need to recoup costs like in-network dental offices do.
No. 4: Over the long-term, you could end up paying less for out of network dental costs vs. in network dentist costs.
There are many reasons this is true. As previously noted, you can avoid paying for dental insurance, co-pays, and unnecessary dental procedures if you go to a reputable, experienced out-of-network dentist. That means your out-of-network dentist cost could end up being less based on those factors alone. But that’s just the beginning.
When you take the time to research dentists and find a doctor who has been practicing dentistry for many years and has a history of providing quality dental care, you are more likely to end up receiving quality dental work, materials, and appliances.
For example, Dr. Loftin is adamant about only working with the top local and national labs for the veneers, crowns, and other dental materials and appliances she provides her patients. That’s because she wants patients to have dental treatments that last, along with the most natural looking replacements for their actual teeth. With poor quality treatments, you often end up paying to have the treatment re-done properly by an experienced out of network dental practice.
Dr. Loftin is also a proponent of Reveal clear aligners, an alternative to Invisalign Fort Worth, because they don’t require “buttons” like Invisalign, deliver results more quickly, and the quality and clarity of the Reveal aligner trays are top notch.
No. 5: Your overall oral health and wellbeing is a top priority.
Out-of-network dentists rely on patient referrals instead of insurance company referrals to maintain a profitable dental practice. If they want to get patient referrals, out-of-network dentists have to consistently deliver quality dental treatments and treat patients with the respect and TLC they deserve.
For Dr. Loftin, quality dental care means educating patients about options so they can make informed decisions and looking out for her patient’s overall oral health. She enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them take the right steps to maintain healthy teeth and gums, as well as a beautiful smile.
From teaching young kids about the importance of regular teeth cleanings and how many times should you brush your teeth a day to educating adults about teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry techniques, Dr. Loftin loves keeping her patients “in the know.”
Contact us to learn more about out of network dentist cost in Fort Worth
Dr. Loftin believes in transparency when it comes to discussing the costs of dental treatments at her Fort Worth dental practice. After a comprehensive dental exam, she will explain the different options available to patients along with what costs are involved. Her caring staff is also happy to review insurance coverage with patients, so they know what if any costs will need to be paid out of pocket.
To learn more about out of network dental services available from Dr. Loftin and her team, contact us at (817) 429-4444 to schedule your new patient consultation today. We look forward to serving you!
