Dental insurance can be complicated…

I used to work at BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. And I still struggle to understand dental insurance…

At Hofmeister Family Dentistry, we’re in network with most insurance plans (e.g. BlueCross Blue Shield of Illinois, United Healthcare, Humana, Principal). This means that, even though we as a dental practice get to set our own prices, we agree to the prices set by the fee schedule used by that insurance company (don’t get me started on insurance companies that use multiple different fee schedules…). By agreeing to an insurance company’s fee schedule, they send patients our way that are enrolled in that insurance company’s dental plan. Win win!

But even if you have a dental policy through an insurer with whom we’re not in network, you should still come and see us! Let’s say you have a plan with Delta Dental of Illinois, or MetLife, or Aetna. Your dental plan most likely covers cleanings and preventative maintenance at 100% (meaning you don’t have to pay a thing to come see Jamie, Flora, or Maureen for a cleaning/exam/x-rays). More complicated stuff like fillings, crowns, and bridges could lead to some out-of-pocket expenses. But even in that case, your dental plan will still provide some coverage. And of course we work with all our patients prior to treatment to help them understand cost to make sure they’re comfortable moving forward (or help them pursue alternative paths that are more in keeping with their budget).

It’s definitely confusing though. So give us a call (630.830.6056) or send us an email (info@hofmeisterDDS.com) if you have any questions or want to setup an appointment.