"Do you take my insurance?" is one of the very first questions we get on the phone — and it deserves a real answer, not a runaround. Here's how dental insurance works at Old Betsy, in plain English.
The short answer
We accept most major dental insurance plans and are happy to file your claims for you. If you have a card, just give us the info when you book and we'll verify your benefits before your visit — so you walk in already knowing what's covered and what's not.
How dental insurance generally works
Dental coverage is usually built around three categories:
- Preventive care (cleanings, exams, basic X-rays) is typically covered at the highest percentage — often fully, depending on your plan.
- Basic care (fillings, simple extractions, basic gum care) is usually covered at a middle tier.
- Major care (crowns, bridges, dentures, implant restorations) is usually covered at a lower percentage, after any waiting period.
Most plans also have an annual maximum — a ceiling on what they'll pay in a given year. Coverage percentages, deductibles, and maximums vary widely by plan, which is why we verify yours specifically rather than guessing.
What "in-network" really means
Being "in-network" means a practice has agreed to a set fee schedule with that insurance company. Being "out-of-network" doesn't mean we can't see you — it usually just means the way your benefits apply is a little different, and we'll explain exactly how before any work begins.
A difference most offices can't offer: we can bill medical insurance
Here's something almost no dental office does — when care qualifies, we can bill your medical insurance, not just your dental plan. People are often surprised how much dental-related treatment can be medically necessary: things like certain surgical extractions, work related to an accident or injury, treatment tied to an infection or an underlying medical condition, oral appliances for sleep apnea, biopsies, and some exams or 3D imaging connected to a medical diagnosis. We can't route everything to medical — routine cleanings and most basic dental work stay on the dental side — but when something qualifies, billing it to medical can unlock coverage you didn't know you had. We'll check whether any part of your care can go through medical, and handle the paperwork either way.
No insurance? You still have options
Plenty of our patients don't have dental insurance, and they're cared for just the same. We offer an in-house membership plan that bundles your routine preventive visits and gives you a meaningful discount on other treatment — no claims, no waiting periods. We also offer outside financing for larger work, so a treatment plan can fit a monthly budget instead of one big bill.
The promise we make on cost
Before we start any treatment beyond a routine cleaning, you get a written estimate of what your insurance is expected to cover and what your out-of-pocket will be. No surprises at checkout, no "while you're back here" add-ons. If something changes mid-visit, we sit up, talk it through, and you decide. Our goal is simple: help you get the full value of the benefits you're already paying for, so no coverage you're entitled to goes unused.
The easiest way to know for sure
Call us with your insurance info and we'll verify your benefits for free, with no commitment. Our new-patient page walks through everything we'll need.