Dental Insurance
About Dental Insurance
The dentist’s fees are the same for everyone, with or without dental insurance. This is the LAW. During your visit, your dentist will ask you for your insurance information for the transmission of your documents and for electronic billing. It is important to know, however, that insurance companies only talk to the insured person and do not contact the dental clinic. We can prepare estimates and claims for you to send to your insurance company, but the answers will be sent directly to you. Where your insurance plan permits, an electronic transmission is processed on the same day as the treatment . Here is some general information about dental insurance:
- It is the responsibility of each patient to check with their dental insurance company for details related to their insurance plan. The dental office is not authorized to receive this information directly. Patients can receive help from the dental office to better understand their package and ask their insurer relevant questions;
- Each member of the same family has his or her own amount of coverage under the package and this amount is not transferable to anyone else;
- The majority of insurance companies set the frequency of preventive visits (examination and cleaning) at 6, 9 or 12 months. The patient may choose to follow their insurance plan, but should be aware that the frequency paid may not be appropriate for their oral condition. This frequency is not related to the prescription of the dentist, which is based on the actual dental health needs of each patient. For example, a dentist might recommend to a patient with a gingival disease to make an appointment every 3 months when the patient’s insurance coverage allows only one annual appointment;
- Patients covered by their dental insurance plan for major care (crowns and bridges, for example) must go through an estimate and evaluation process with their insurance company’s consulting dentist before their expenses are approved and reimbursed;
Evaluate your insurance coverage
Your employer may have negotiated your insurance contract at a lower percentage coverage or reimbursements based on a previous year’s rate guide. Check with your insurer and let them know your treatment plan.
The dentist will provide you with a treatment plan that includes an estimate of the cost of each proposed treatment.
The same rate for all patients, insured or not
For a given clinic and period of time, dental fees are the same for all patients, whether or not they are insured.
Whether or not you have dental insurance coverage, take the time to review your treatment plan and don’t hesitate to ask for details. There are a multitude of restrictions and particularities that are specific to each insurance contract. You may need to contact your insurance company.
Payment arrangement solutions may be offered to you. Talk about them during your visit.
Tax credit for uninsured medical expenses
In Quebec, if you have paid medical expenses exceeding 3% of your income or that of your spouse and if you meet the conditions set by Revenu Québec, you are entitled to a non-refundable tax credit:
- Learn more about non-refundable tax credits for medical expenses in Quebec:
- Consult the list of medical expenses that entitle you to the medical expense amount or the refundable tax credit for medical expenses in Québec.
In Canada, there is also a non-refundable tax credit for medical expenses:
- Consult the list of medical expenses eligible for the tax credit.