Is laser dentistry covered by insurance?

Insurance Forum Dental Insurance
1

I’m thinking about getting some laser dental work done, but I’m not sure if it’s covered by insurance. Does anyone know if insurance typically covers laser procedures or if it’s something I’d need to pay for out of pocket?

2

It depends on the procedure. If your insurance covers the treatment (like filling a cavity or gum treatment), it might cover it whether they use a laser or a traditional method. But some plans don’t specifically mention laser procedures, so it’s best to call your provider to confirm.

3

@Vale
Good to know! I’ll definitely call them and check. Hopefully they cover it since lasers seem less painful than drills.

4

I had laser gum treatment last year, and my insurance covered it just like a regular procedure. It’s really about the treatment itself, not how it’s done.

5

Sidney said:
I had laser gum treatment last year, and my insurance covered it just like a regular procedure. It’s really about the treatment itself, not how it’s done.

Was there a big difference in cost between using the laser and going the traditional route?

6

@Lucypiper
Not really. I think my out-of-pocket costs were about the same. The laser was quicker and less painful though, so definitely worth asking about!

7

FYI, if you have a PPO plan, you’ll probably have more options for laser dentistry. If you’ve got an HMO, they might only cover in-network dentists, so check that too.

8

Brooke said:
FYI, if you have a PPO plan, you’ll probably have more options for laser dentistry. If you’ve got an HMO, they might only cover in-network dentists, so check that too.

Good point! I ran into that with my HMO. Had to switch to a dentist in-network to get it covered.

9

Also, don’t forget about potential out-of-pocket expenses. Even if it’s covered, you might still have to meet a deductible or pay a copay, so be ready for that.

10

ComplianceChris said:
Also, don’t forget about potential out-of-pocket expenses. Even if it’s covered, you might still have to meet a deductible or pay a copay, so be ready for that.

Yeah, I’ll definitely check how much of my deductible I’ve met. Thanks for the reminder!

11

Laser dentistry is awesome! I had a frenectomy done with a laser and it was way smoother than I expected. Insurance covered it since it was medically necessary.