Dental Insurance Payments & the Unhappy Dentist

The relationship between general dentist and dental insurance company is not an easy one. In this survey, 87% of dentists say that dental insurance covers payments have dropped and fewer treatments are covered, this survey found.

“This is the perfect storm insurance companies have been waiting for," said one dentist. "Several have reduced reimbursements and decreased coverage on certain procedures. Also attempting to dictate fees for non-covered services."

Here are some other comments from dentists on dental health plans:

• “Reimbursements are slower, smaller and more antagonistic to gain.” (General dentist)
• “The best definition I have heard for an insurance company is a bank that does not give your money back.” (General dentist)
• “Insurance companies are getting too much power. No way should they be able to dictate our charges for procedures they don't even cover.” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “Employers have reduced coverages across the board.” (General dentist)
• “Patients have asked if we raised our fees, but their insurance just pays less.” (Texas dentist)
• “STILL $1,000 annual max? Is this the now only thing on the entire planet that has not gone up in the last 50 years?” (Illinois dentist)
• “I have not seen any dental plans start raising their maximums to compensate for inflation. I have only seen a small change as to where 1 maybe 2 insurance companies are starting to pay for dental implants.” (Georgia dental office worker)
• “Dental insurance companies should not be allowed to set fee caps for network providers. It is ridiculous that our procedures get discounted by so much that it doesn't cover the cost of the procedure to do it. Yes, we can drop out of networks, but in this economy, doing so can mean the end of your practice.” (Kentucky dentist)

Read more: Dental Insurance Payments Have Dropped, Say Dentists