What dental insurance covers, and how we check your benefits

Insurance is the question we hear most, and the answer has two parts: which plans we work with, and what your plan actually pays for. Here is both.

Plans we are in network with

Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna and MetLife. In network means we have agreed prices with the insurer, so your share is usually predictable.

Out of network PPO plans

We accept most PPO plans out of network and file the claim for you. Your plan still pays its share; the difference is that the insurer sets what it reimburses, so your part can be a little higher than with an in-network plan. We tell you the estimate before treatment.

What we do not accept

HMO dental plans and Medi-Cal (Denti-Cal). If you have one of these, you are welcome as a patient at our cash prices, which are listed on our home page, and we can split larger treatments into stages.

What a typical plan covers

Every plan is different, so treat this as a map, not a promise. Most plans cover preventive care such as exams, X-rays and routine cleanings at the highest rate, often with a limit on how many cleanings a year. Fillings are usually covered at a lower rate, and crowns, implants and orthodontics at a lower rate still, sometimes with a waiting period. Almost all plans have an annual maximum, and cosmetic treatment such as whitening is rarely covered. Your plan documents or your insurer's phone line give the exact numbers.

How we check your benefits

Email a photo of the front and back of your card to hello@marinabaydental.com or bring it to your first visit. We verify your coverage with the insurer before the appointment and go through the estimate with you. No surprises after the fact.

If insurance does not cover enough

We accept CareCredit, with 0% promotional financing subject to approval, as well as HSA and FSA cards, debit and all major credit cards. Patients 65 and older get 10% off treatments paid without insurance. If a treatment plan is large, we can stage it over several months.