If you have to undergo a major dental procedure, such as oral surgery, it is likely that you should be sedated. Sedation can help you stay calm and relaxed, as well as allow your oral surgery team to work as efficiently as possible. But how will sedation affect the cost of your care? Does dental insurance cover it? This blog post explains what you should know.
Sedation and Dental Insurance
Most standard dental insurance plans do not cover sedation. They view it as an elective treatment and therefore do not help patients pay for it. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. For example, mild forms of sedation may be more likely to be covered than more powerful ones. (Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation receive coverage more often than IV sedation.)
Also, if a patient has special needs that make it necessary for them to be sedated, their insurance carrier may take that into account.
Sedation and Medical Insurance
Some oral surgery procedures fall into the realm of regular medical insurance rather than dental insurance. If that is true in your case, it is worth checking with your insurance provider to find out how they view sedation. Depending on the details of your procedure, it is possible that they will pay for at least a portion of the cost of your sedation.
What If You Cannot Get Coverage?
If your insurance will not help you pay for sedation, what should you do? There are a couple of options:
- Ask if the procedure can be performed without sedation. Some minor oral surgeries can be performed without sedation. Your mouth will be numbed, so you should expect to remain fairly comfortable throughout your appointment.
- Use a different type of sedation. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation typically cost less than IV sedation and general anesthesia.
- Consider financing. You might be eligible for low-interest financing. It can break up the cost of your care, including sedation, into manageable monthly installments.
Also, keep in mind that many patients consider sedation to be well worth the cost. After all, it can make your surgical experience as easy and peaceful as possible.
Sedation is not usually covered by insurance, but that should not stop you from getting the care you need. Talk to your oral surgery team to learn about your payment options.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Sheng Ji is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is very detail-oriented and passionate about providing top-quality care. He offers multiple types of sedation, and our practice is happy to help patients maximize their insurance benefits. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Carmichael, CA, team at 916-961-1902.