Understanding Dental Insurance

Dental care is very important for your overall health & wellness, & dental insurance is how most people access that care. As with other insurances, dental insurance can be confusing, & unfortunately, that confusion can keep patients from making it in to see a dentist.

At Marion DDS, we know there are many barriers to getting quality dental care. We do our best to break down those barriers. In addition to our convenient hours, we accept dental insurance from all major providers, such as Delta Dental, Humana & Cigna.

Additionally, we try to make that insurance easy for you to understand & access. We are happy to answer any questions you have about your insurance, & we do our best to maximize the dental insurance plan you have so you pay as little as possible for your care.

In-Network Vs. Out-Of-Network

In health insurance, "in-network" providers have agreements with the insurance company for pre-negotiated rates, resulting in lower costs for the insured. This includes lower copayments and deductibles. Staying within the network ensures maximum coverage and streamlined claims processing. On the other hand, "out-of-network" providers lack such agreements, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs, potential balance billing, and sometimes limited coverage. Choosing between them depends on the insurance plan and individual circumstances, requiring awareness of network restrictions to make informed healthcare decisions and manage costs effectively.

HMO Plans

HMO plans only cover dental work done by dentists that are in-network, & referrals to specialists must be provided by that dentist. If you have an HMO plan, be sure to look for a dentist in their network.

PPO Plans

PPO plans are much more flexible & the distinction between in-network & out-of-network is much less limiting. When a dental practice is in-network with a PPO insurance provider, it just means they have a deal where the practice can charge the patient a smaller portion of the total cost for treatment services. However, even out-of-network costs are often quite reasonable.

What To Expect

Being well-prepared for your appointment will ensure that the doctor has all of the needed information to provide the best possible care for you. It also will help relieve any unnecessary anxiety you may be feeling. Educate yourself on your symptoms by reviewing the content on this Web site. Also, take some time to review our staff page and familiarize yourself with the doctors. We look forward to your first visit.

Payment Methods

We expect payment for services on the date of your appointment. We are in network with BCBS of NC, Cigna PPO, and Liberty. It is your responsibility to check with your provider about individual benefits. You will be responsible for paying in full at the time of service, and we will file your insurance as a courtesy to you. Your insurance company will then make their payment directly to the policy holder, typically within 2 weeks. This is the case with almost all Delta Dental policies. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns regarding payment prior to your appointment.

We accept the following:

Payment method logos: Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express accepted here.
We ask that you provide us with at least a 24 hour notice for a change or cancellation of an appointment. We reserve the right to charge a $35.00 fee for missed appointments without adequate notice, as your time slot is reserved exclusively for you. After 3 missed appointments without adequate notice, we reserve the right to ask that you find an office with more convenient hours for you and may dismiss you from our practice.

New Patients & Emergency Appointments Welcome!