Dental insurance FAQs
We are frequently asked questions about insurance. Some we can help with, and others are best left up to your insurance provider. Here are a few common questions we are asked.
What is dental insurance? Dental insurance helps cover the cost of dental care, including preventive treatments (like cleanings), restorative services (fillings, crowns), and sometimes orthodontics or cosmetic procedures. It helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses for dental treatments.
There are different insurance providers with different levels of cover here in New Zealand. Some of the more popular providers for dental cover are Southern Cross and NIB.
What does dental insurance typically cover? Dental insurance plans usually cover:
- Preventive care: Cleanings, check-ups, and X-rays
- Basic procedures: Fillings, extractions, and root canals
- Major procedures: Crowns, bridges, dentures, and sometimes orthodontics
- Emergency care: In cases of accidents or urgent dental issues
Can you claim for me? If you have your policy through Southern Cross then YES we can claim for you. Southern Cross have an online system (Southern Cross Easy Claim) where providers like us at Urban Dental Studio can claim through for our patients, saving you time doing it yourself.
Unfortunately other providers do not have a similar system, however we are more than happy to provide you with the details so that you can claim it back after your appointment.
What will my policy cover? We are unable to see exactly what a policy covers, however for our patients who have cover through Southern Cross insurance, we can look up in the easy claim system if a certain treatment will be covered under the dental benefit of their policy.
What is a co-payment? A co-payment is the amount for each appointment claim that you, as the patient will contribute to the treatment cost. With some policies the insurance policy will cover 75% of an appointment and the patient will contribute the remaining 25% of the treatment cost.
Will my wisdom teeth be covered under my policy?
Wisdom teeth can be claimed under a dental policy, however if the teeth are impacted (unable to come through the gums clearly) then they may be covered under the surgery portion of an insurance policy, and in this case we would help you with a referral to an Oral Surgeon.
What is the annual maximum benefit?
Most dental insurance plans have a maximum amount they will pay per year for dental care, such as $100 to $750. After you reach this limit, you are responsible for the full cost of any additional treatments within that year.
Can I use dental insurance for cosmetic procedures?
Cosmetic procedures (like teeth whitening or veneers) are typically not covered by dental insurance. However, some procedures that have a functional purpose, like crowns or bridges, may be partially covered if deemed medically necessary.
Does dental insurance cover orthodontics?
Orthodontic coverage depends on the plan. Some plans offer orthodontic benefits, it is best to check the details of your plan to see if this is included.
If you have any questions that you need our help with please get in touch with our team at Urban Dental Studio or your insurance provider.