Does Insurance Cover Lumineers?
Any procedure involving dental restorations can be an expensive one. Dental veneers, crowns, and implants all qualify as expensive. Obviously, it is to your best interest to see whether or not your provider will cover the cost of Lumineers. Although it is technically considered a cosmetic procedure, there are some situations in which your insurance company may make exceptions.
If your teeth were damaged as a result of an accident, for instance, you may be compensated for part of the expense. Lumineers can help repair tooth chips or any other dental injuries which you may have sustained. Your provider will most likely cover at most 50% of the procedure. A quick phone call should reveal the actual percentage of coverage. This is a disappointment for the many who pay exorbitant insurance premiums, however it still translates to less out of pocket expense. Always take what you can get.
If you had a pre-existing restoration (such as a crown or filling) that failed for no other reason than old age, you may be able to get coverage for your Lumineers. Crowns can actually cost far more than Lumineers, so your insurance company shouldn’t mind picking up a portion of the tab. It will be up to your cosmetic dentist to properly assess the situation and determine which restoration is most suitable. If the tooth structure is susceptible to decay, a dental crown may be the way to go. The results can look just as spectacular with a crown if the veneers are a no-go.
Some doctors may agree to grant you a discount if you are having multiple procedures performed at once. But, prospective patients should understand that price is never a solid basis for selecting a specific dentist. These veneers are far more difficult to craft for natural looking results, especially when no tooth preparation is performed beforehand. Lumineers-certified providers have been specially trained with these extra thin veneers. There are thousands of providers in the United States which are all a phone call away. The official Lumineers site has a search function that allows you to locate cosmetic dentists within your nearby area. The general consensus is that you should avoid going to a general dentist for the procedure. It is already complicated enough for cosmetic dentists by its minimal prep nature.
If you can’t obtain insurance coverage nor discounts, persevere and don’t let your financial limitations deter you. Dental offices often provide flexible payment plans through financing companies like CareCredit, which can cover treatments in excess of $25,000. Well qualified patients can obtain financing for their Lumineers with 0% interest for up to 18 months (according to the CareCredit website). Low-interest plans are available for terms up to 60 months. Many of these companies provide convenient features like instant online approval, which can get you in and out the cosmetic dentist’s office much quicker. Visit your local cosmetic dentist’s office today for information pertaining to the financing company which they use as well as what payment schedules and rates you may qualify for.