Dental Implant Insurance and Dental Pre Existing Condition

Q.: I currently have dental insurance. It is quite basic dental insurance. It covers the basic services only. I need three dental implants. That is the only additional help I need. I got a quote from a dentist of a friend of mine who gave me a discounted price of about $2500 for dental implant work per tooth, or total of about $7200 for three implants.


I am ready now. I have been waiting on this because of the finances but I do not want to wait any more. I am ready to get my implants within the next month if possible. Also, my sister has already started her dental implant work and she paid $1000 already for the first phase of the implant. Can she get coverage for the rest of the procedure as well? Would that be considered pre-existing condition?

M. L., Bronxville, New Jersey

A.: Hi, M. L., We are receiving many requests for dental implant work coverage these days. Dental implants are becoming more of a common place as we can tell. However, most dental coverages are lagging in this realization and refuse to cover dental implants. The few insurances that do cover implants will have long waiting periods and relatively low annual maximums, so not much of major implant work would be covered anyways. You want to look into dental insurance alternatives, such as discount dental plans. The advantage of these are that they do not have annual maximums and in the US they cover dental implants. I will suggest a few resources below. The savings will be 20%-25% on the low end, and as much as 50%-60% on the high end, depending on the service, the implant service, crown service, etc. As far as your sister, these plans do not have pre-existing condition clauses. Your sister will be able to get savings on the rest of the implant procedure at a discount as well.

--Dental Cool


Resources

Top nationwide plans that cover dental implants

Selection of competing dental discount plans that cover dental implants

Dental Implant Plan: Government Employee in California Seeking Supplemental Dental Insurance for Dental Implants. Has Basic Dental Insurance Now With a Low Annual Maximum

Q: I'm looking for a dental plan that would cover dental implants. I have state-sponsored Delta government dental insurance at the time. That plan is very basic, there is a lifetime maximum of $2,000 coverage on implants. However, cost of my teeth implants will be $4,000 each and I need two. I was looking for a supplemental dental insurance if there is such a thing that would help me pay specifically for my dental implants. Thanks.

F. K., Sacramento, CA



A: Well F. K., congratulations for even having a plan that covers implants. These days it is still difficult to find a reasonably priced dental insurance that even covers implants. However, as dental implants are becoming more and more common, more plans are starting to cover them. In your present situation, the best way to go would be to supplement your state-sponsored Delta with one of the supplemental discount dental plans. Many are featured by our sponsors even on this page. Most discount dental plans will save you 10-25% on implants and up to 60% on crowns that you may need on top of the implant.

However, your job is not finished with the purchase of an additional discount dental plan. As most plans offer percentage discount on implants, you would be well advised to continue to shop around among the dentists on the plan to find the dentist or specialist that best fits your needs concerning the cost and the type and quality of service that you require. With other words, make sure the dentist you pick is competent and that you feel good working with them.

--Dental Cool


Recommended links

Supplemental dental plan covering dental implants