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ganduvo t1_iraksz2 wrote

Since no one has really answered your question directly yet: dental insurance plans have agreed upon rates for specific procedures, just like health insurance plans. There are many dental insurance companies competing with each other, so pricing would never get too out of whack.

Example: you need a crown. The dentist is covered under your insurance network. The dentist can theoretically bill whatever they want, from $500 to $30,000, but the actual cost of the procedure is determined by the insurance company. Say the dentist does actually bill $30,000 for a crown, but the insurance company's set rate is $1000, and your coinsurance is 50% for crowns. The remaining $29,000 is disallowed and no one sees that money, the insurance company pays the dentist $500, and you're on the hook for the remaining coinsurance of $500.

Insurance companies might raise rates to compensate for Q2, but dentists aren't likely to start charging more because of Q2. They're cash flow isn't really going to be affected.

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TywinShitsGold t1_iraplfv wrote

Talking to a dentist out of Charlotte a few weeks back, Dental Insurance hasn’t adjusted their reimbursement model after Covid to even come close to their increase in cost.

As with every other industry, supplies are up 50%+, labor is up significantly, and a lack of available hygienists is limiting their patients per day.

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