Financial &
Payment Options
Treatment Cost
The treatment cost depends on the type of procedure, degree of difficulty, and type of anesthesia. To provide you with an accurate plan and fees, a consultation is necessary to establish diagnosis and appropriate treatment options. A treatment plan and related fees are then presented that best meets your needs.
Wisdom teeth extraction:
The treatment cost depends on:
- The number of wisdom teeth: There are usually four wisdom teeth, but occasionally there may be more (supernumerary teeth) or fewer (agenesis of wisdom tooth).
- Degree of impaction: Wisdom teeth may be erupted (visible), covered with gum tissue (soft tissue impaction), partially in bone (partial bony impaction), completely covered with bone (full bony impaction), or within the bone in very complex positions (complicated full bony impaction).
- Type of anesthesia: There is no fee for local anesthesia. The other options are nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) and IV sedation (most common and recommended).
Once an X-ray has been reviewed and proper diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan can be prepared and exact fees can be discussed.
Dental implants:
The cost of dental implants depends on the number of implants, bone grafting needs, and your choice of anesthesia. Following examination and discussion of treatment recommendations, our financial coordinator will present the exact cost and payment options. Our global implant fees include all of the following:
- Dental implant surgery
- Dental implant components
- Exposure and temporary abutment
- Surgical guide (prepared by laboratory)
- All consultations
- All necessary X-rays
- All follow-up appointments
- Impression post for your restoring dentist ($50 value, used for implant impression)
- In-house prescriptions ($50 value)
- Home care kit
We use only the most well known and researched implant companies in our office, including Straumann, BioHorizons, Megagen & Zimmer. We do not use the lower quality and cheap dental implants that are available in the market. These cheaper implants, which are often sold to general dentists, do not have adequate research and literature behind them and their composition and manufacturing process is unknown. We do not recommend use of such implants as they are unpredictable and may be associated with increased risk of failure, infection, fractures, and poor healing.
Dental implants and related bone grafting procedures are typically not covered by any insurance plans as they are considered elective and not medically necessary. If you have a plan with possible benefits we will be happy to submit a pre-authorization letter and form on your behalf. For this we will need to see you for an examination and obtain an X-ray. Dental implants may be covered under medical insurance if teeth loss is related to a traumatic injury or pathology such as bony cysts. Contact your insurance company or call us for assistance.
Bone grafting:
The cost of bone grafting depends on the following factors:
- Type of bone grafting: site augmentation, onlay graft, sinus lift, vertical augmentation, or width augmentation
- Amount of bone grafting: single tooth site, multiple teeth, or entire jaw
- Complexity of bone grafting: severely resorbed jaw bones vs. less complicated narrowing of the ridge
- Type of bone graft material: Bone harvested from other parts of the jaw bone or hip, synthetic bone graft materials, regeneration membranes, technologically advanced bone morphogenic protein preparations, or growth factors
- Type of anesthesia
Because each bone deformity is different and has variations in complexity, an evaluation is a must before cost can be given. Following examination and discussion of treatment recommendations, our financial coordinator will present the exact cost and payment options for your situation.
Bone grafting procedures are typically not covered by any insurance plans as they are considered elective and not medically necessary. If you have a plan with possible benefits we will be happy to submit a pre-authorization letter and form on your behalf. For this we will need to see you for an examination and obtain an X-ray. Bone grafting and related dental implants may be covered under medical insurance if teeth loss is related to a traumatic injury or pathology such as bony cysts. Contact your insurance company or call us for assistance.
Biopsy procedures:
The cost for biopsy procedures depends on the type of lesion, its size, location, nature of procedure, and type of anesthesia. Once you have been examined and treatment plan completed, the exact cost will be discussed. Biopsy procedures are submitted to medical insurance for best benefits.
Anesthesia:
The cost of anesthesia depends on the type of anesthesia and the length of your procedure. We offer three anesthesia options:
- Local anesthesia: there is no fee for local anesthesia (numbing the sites)
- Nitrous Oxide sedation: this is the “laughing gas”. The fee is $225
- IV sedation anesthesia: this is the optimal and most common anesthesia. The fee for IV sedation is $500. This includes IV sedation, all necessary medications including an anti-nausea drug, and recovery.
Office anesthesia is considered a basic service under most dental insurance plans. If you have dental insurance, you may receive benefits up to your annual maximal amount. We can assist you in obtaining your benefits and terms of your insurance plan. If you want the exact amount of your benefits, we will be happy to submit a pre-authorization letter and form on your behalf. For this we will need to see you and obtain an X-ray for the related procedure. Medical insurances do not offer benefits for anesthesia when administered in the office. They only cover anesthesia performed in a hospital administered by an anesthesiologist.
Corrective Jaw Surgery:
The fees depend on the type of jaw surgery, whether it requires upper, lower, or both, its complexity, and other adjunctive procedures such as a chin procedure or cheek augmentations. Corrective jaw surgery and hospitalization costs may be considered under some medical insurances, although many have excluded jaw surgeries or offer very little coverage.
During your initial consultation, we can assist you in submitting a pre-treatment letter and obtaining your available benefits. Following the procedure, claim forms are submitted for reimbursement. Insurance coverage is never guaranteed and the final amount of payment is not determined until a claim has been submitted.
For those with no insurance, we offer short- and long-term payment plans with no interest. We also arrange a fixed hospital cost for you that will include all aspects of your hospitalization, including operating room, anesthesia, materials, recovery room, and nursing care. This fee is paid directly to the hospital.
Internet inquires:
If you cannot come for an initial consult because you live in another state or country, we can provide you with a plan and approximate associated cost online. You can submit the following information using our treatment cost estimate form. You may also request that your dentist send this information on your behalf. Dr. Kazemi will then review the information and send you a personalized plan and statement of approximate fees.
- Your chief needs
- Any available X-rays (in jpeg format)
- Any available photos (in jpeg format)
- For implant inquires, a set of dental models is very helpful. You may send the models to us via mail.
Payment Options
Payment in Full
Payments are due at time of service unless other arrangements have been made. If you have insurance, we’ll provide you with claim packet for direct reimbursement. When possible, we’ll submit your claim electronically with expedited processing and reimbursement.
Insurance Co-Payment
For those with PPO insurance plans, we offer a co-payment option calculated based on your insurance benefits, available amount in your annual limit, and deductibles. A signed agreement and a credit card number on file are required for all co-payment arrangements with full balance due in 60 days.
2-Month Office Payment plan
For procedures more than $750, we can offer a 2-month in-office payment plan for qualified individuals. A signed agreement and credit card number on file are required.
Long-Term Payment Plans
We offer a six- to 24-month payment plans through Lending Club or CareCredit. A short application (via phone or website) is necessary, along with a credit check for approval. You will make payments directly to the company. This is a NO-INTEREST program with a one-time service charge. See Lending Club or CareCredit for more application.
Advanced Payment Plan
If you do not qualify for extended payment plans, you may make monthly payments toward your planned surgery until the required surgical fee has been met. Then you can schedule and complete your planned procedure. We will credit your account as you pay and keep you posted with a monthly account statement.
Insurance
Patients with insurance
Over 90% of our patients have dental insurance although we are not a member provider with any plans. Regardless, many patients follow strict recommendations from their dentist, physician, or friends to see Dr. Kazemi because of his expertise, skills, and great office staff. Patients choose to go outside of their insurance network to get the care they want and the type of results they expect. And their insurance benefits remain the same. If you have dental insurance, you can choose to be self-reimbursed or pay only your co-payment. Our financial coordinator can help with a solution that works best for you. You can also request your insurance benefits by submitting a short form.
Difference between in- and out-of-network providers
The difference between seeing an in-network oral surgeon and an out-of-network oral surgery practice, like ours, is insignificant. In-fact in many cases, our fees are lower than your insurance company allowances. Hence your out-of-pocket expense may be either the same or even slightly less than an in-network practice. Here are the reasons why:
- Our fees are often very close to the usual and customary fees (UCR) of most insurance companies. In many cases it is the same or actually less than the UCR. This means that the difference in your out-of-pocket expense maybe zero or only slightly different.
- The available benefits are very often the same between in- and out-of-network oral surgeons.
- Most dental insurances offer maximum annual limits of $1,000 to $1,500 in dental benefits. Any surgical fees above this limit are not considered by your insurance, whether you see an in-network or out-of-network oral surgeon.
- Teeth extractions, anesthesia, consultations, and X-rays are often considered basic services with 80% coverage or major services with 40% to 60% coverage. This coverage is usually the same, whether you see an in- or out-of-network oral surgeon.
- For the majority, your deductibles remain the same between an in-network and out-of network oral surgeon.
- Medical insurances do not offer coverage for the majority of oral surgery procedures, again, making no difference based on insurance participation.
- Many oral surgery procedures are considered elective and therefore not covered by either dental or medical insurances, regardless of whether you see an in- or out-of-network oral surgeon. These include:
- Dental implants
- Most bone grafting procedures
- Most corrective jaw surgeries
- Cosmetic procedures
What does dental insurance cover?
Dental insurance often provides benefits for teeth extractions (including wisdom teeth), anesthesia, and some biopsy procedures. Simple bone-grafting procedures may be covered under some plans.
What may be considered under medical insurance?
Biopsy procedures, traumatic injuries, and some bone grafting procedures for reconstructive purposes may be considered under medical insurances. Dental implants may also be considered if tooth loss was a result of trauma or significant pathology such as cysts. Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathics) is also considered under some medical insurances although many have specific exclusions.
Procedures not covered by most insurances:
Dental implants, some bone grafting procedures, cosmetic procedures, and some corrective jaw surgeries are considered elective and therefore not likely to be covered by either dental or medical insurances. You may contact your insurance company for specific rules regarding coverage for these procedures. If you think you have possible benefits, we can assist you with submitting a pre-authorization letter and helping you obtain any available benefits.
Getting insurance for your planned oral surgery:
You may choose to get dental or medical insurance for your desired oral surgery, but make sure to inquire about specific benefits for such procedures, exclusions, and waiting periods for preexisting conditions. In most situations, insurance does little to help patients with their oral surgery cost. Insurance typically does not offer benefits for implants, bone grafting, jaw surgeries, or other elective procedures.
About deductibles, UCR’s, Annual limits, etc:
- Deductibles are fixed amounts that you must pay out-of-pocket before benefits are considered. Depending on your specific plan, this may be $50-$250 for some dental insurance or as high as $2,500 for some medical insurance companies.
- Maximal allowable, also known as usual and customary rates (UCR), refers to a fixed amount that your insurance company has allocated for a specific procedure, based on the procedure itself and zip code of the provider. For example, the maximal allowable for a tooth extraction may be $300. Your insurance company will use this amount for calculation of your benefits and may reimburse 50 to 100 percent of it based on your plan type. Any amount of the actual fee for the extraction not covered or above the maximal allowable will be your responsibility.
- Annual limits: Dental insurances have maximum annual limits for benefits. The majority are $1,000 to $1,500 per year, per individual, but may be as low as $750 or as high as $5,000 (for more premium insurance types). Any dental claims submitted are considered as long as you have available funds in your annual limit. These benefits typically expire at the end of a calendar year (usually Dec. 31st) and are not transferable.
- Percent coverage: The benefits for each procedure may be 50 to 100 percent of the UCR amount. The majority of extractions and anesthesia services are covered at 80% of the UCR. Consultations and x-rays are often covered at 100% of the UCR. Some insurance companies limit Panorex X-rays to one every three years.
Payment Plans
With our partner financing companies, you have the option of having your procedure done with no payment upfront. We offer 6-, 9-, or 12-month interest-free payment plans. A short application (via phone or website) is necessary, along with a credit check for approval. Once approved, you do not have to make any payments to our office. Instead, following your procedure or treatment, you will make payments directly to the third party company. This is a NO-INTEREST program. Speak to our financial coordinator for details or contact the companies below to obtain a line of credit. We offer these programs through the following companies:
Lending Club Patient Solution
Patients need a simple and affordable way to pay for care. Lending Club provides it. Their rates are low, their approvals are high. Decisions happen faster than ever before. And patients have the funding flexibility they need.
800-630-1663
CareCredit
CareCredit is a credit card for your health and beauty needs that lets you enjoy the benefits of living well today, with special healthcare financing options so you can pay monthly.
800-365-8295
Accepted Forms of Payment
- All major credit cards
- Cash
- Checks (with 2 forms of ID)
- Money order or cashier’s check
Crowd Funding
You can raise funds for your dental treatments using crowd funding. Post a campaign and reach out to others using social media to receive gifts or contributions toward your treatment cost
Give Forward
GiveForward helps you raise funds for your medical and dental expenses: Instant fundraiser setup, quickly reach friends and family and personal coaches to help you succeed
gofundme
Raise money for medical bills: Fundraising for medical bills and related medical expenses.