Insurance and Payment

The cost of dental care depends on what you need. Whatever the plan, from a single filling to a full-mouth rehabilitation, you will see the options and a written estimate before anything is scheduled.

Dental insurance

We are an in-network provider for most PPO dental plans. Being in network means the plan has agreed fees with us, so your share is predictable and usually lower than at an out-of-network office. Plans we participate in include:

If your plan is not on the list, call us. Many smaller insurers use one of the PPO networks above, so we are in network with them too. If you have an HMO plan, you may still have out-of-network benefits that apply.

A note on how dental insurance works: most plans pay a percentage of each procedure up to an annual maximum, and many exclude cosmetic treatment such as whitening or veneers while covering the same tooth when there is a medical reason, for example a crown on a broken tooth. We will tell you which category your treatment falls into and what to expect from your plan.

Paying for treatment

General, restorative, cosmetic and implant dentistry is paid for as the treatment is done. We accept cash, checks and major credit and debit cards, and CareCredit. Many patients pay with a health savings account or flexible spending account, and we provide the itemized receipts and statements those accounts ask for.

Orthodontics. For braces and Invisalign, most patients pay in monthly installments arranged directly with the office, with no interest. The down payment depends on the treatment chosen.

Estimates

1. 1
   Step 1 of 3 We check your benefits

   Before your first visit and at no charge, so the estimate starts from what your plan actually pays.

2. 2
   Step 2 of 3 You get a written estimate

   Every treatment plan lists each procedure, the expected insurance contribution where we have verified it, and your share.

3. 3
   Step 3 of 3 You decide

   Nothing is added to a plan without talking to you first.

Insurance estimates are our best reading of your plan, not a guarantee of payment; the plan makes the final determination, and if it pays differently we go through it with you.

Frequently asked questions

Do you take Medicaid or Medicare?

We are not Medicaid providers, and standard Medicare does not include dental coverage. We do not participate in Medicare Advantage dental plans directly, with one exception: we accept Humana Gold Plus, which works much like a PPO plan, and we have many happy patients on it. If you have another Medicare Advantage plan, call us with the details and we will tell you how it would work here.

Can I be seen without insurance?

Yes. We will tell you the fee for your visit when you book, and any treatment comes with a written estimate before it is scheduled.

Is a consultation free?

Orthodontic consultations with Dr. Hong are complimentary. For dental care, a new-patient examination with X-rays is a set fee, which most PPO plans cover in full or in part. Second-opinion visits are priced the same way.

What if my insurance changes during treatment?

Tell us as soon as you know. We verify the new plan and adjust the estimate for the remaining treatment.