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There is no debate on how important it is to maintain one's dental health but extensive dental procedures such as root canal treatment can become a strain on your finances. Dental insurance can be a valuable tool in managing these expenses.
Dental Insurance in Singapore usually covers routine preventative treatments and basic dental procedures like teeth cleaning, dental fillings and dental x-rays. However, if it covers more complex procedure and treatments, like root canals, depends on your insurance plan.
Understanding the dental insurance process can be challenging and confusing. Let us help you navigate this tricky terrain!
What are root canal treatments?
Preserving a tooth that is severely decayed, infected, or damaged is usually why you need a root canal treatment. During the first stage of root canal treatment, the dentist removes the infected pulp tissue, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and then fills it with a biocompatible material. The tooth is then sealed with a permanent filling, often with a crown, to restore its strength and functionality. Same day crown options from our digital in house lab provide a hassle free experience.
Read in-depth about root canal treatment here.
The coverage for these procedures varies based on your specific insurance plan. However, there may be waiting periods before certain dental services become eligible for claims. Let's explore the different coverage levels below.
Does insurance cover root canal treatment?
Root canal treatments are frequently included in dental insurance plans because they are essential for preserving a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted due to significant decay or infection. However, the level of coverage can vary. Some plans might cover the full cost of the procedure, while others may only cover a portion, requiring you to pay a copayments. The coverage amount can also be influenced by whether the root canal is done on a front tooth or a back tooth, as some plans have different rates for various types of teeth.
Although dental insurance often covers part of the cost of a root canal, the amount depends on the type of plan you have. Most insurance plans divide dental procedures into three categories:
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Preventive coverage (e.g., cleanings, exams)
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Basic coverage (e.g., fillings, simple extractions, root canals)
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Major coverage (e.g., crowns, bridges, surgical extractions)
Depending on how your insurance classifies root canals, either as a basic or major procedure, coverage can vary significantly.
Can MediSave be used for root canal treatment?
Although routine canal treatment is not generally covered under MediSave, you may have some subsidies via your CHAS, Merdeka or Pioneer membership.
Some surgical procedures may be claimable at least partially by MediSave. In more complex cases, there might be surgical root canal infection treatments that will be necessary to treat the infection. For instance, Apicoectomy is a surgical endodontic procedure done to remove the infection from the apex or tip of the root. You will need to check with your insurance provider and dental team to confirm regarding your coverage for procedures.
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Our dental insurance partners at Dental Designs Clinic
Basic dental insurance typically covers consultation, teeth cleaning, fillings, extractions and x-rays, depending on your policy.
1. Direct claim dental insurance coverage
Dental Designs Clinic is an accredited provider for major international insurance companies. See all the companies we work with below, or feel free to contact us to check if you are covered!
Some of our direct claim insurance partners:
- MHC AIA
- MHC (MHC, Better Health, MHC Phi, MHC Copay, China TP)
- Adept Health (DA Care, DA Care GE)
- BetterHealth
- Mednefits
- Alliance (Cigna, GE, NTUC, Singlife, HSBC (AXA), AHC Medinet)
- iXchange
2. Direct claim insurance with pre-approved letter
For some of our direct billing partners, a pre-approved letter must be produced before your dental treatment can begin. This letter could be in the form of a Letter of Guarantee, Verification of Benefits, Guarantee of Payment, or an Authorisation Letter, depending on your insurance provider. Your insurance company will be able to provide the specific requirements and forms they require for the claim. We're happy to guide you through the process as well.
Our direct claim insurance partners that require a pre-approved letter:
- Euro Center
- Cynergy Care
- Healix International
- United Healthcare
- Geoblue
- MSH International
- eExpedise Group
- Europ Assistance
3. Self-claim dental insurance coverage
We offer self-claim insurance options to ensure you receive the benefits you’re entitled to, even if your insurance isn’t part of our direct claim network. Self-claim dental insurance usually involves you submitting the claim through your insurance portal after your treatment has been done. We will be able to provide you with an itemised invoice to submit to your insurance provider as well as a dental memo if required.
If your insurance requires any claim forms or dental reports to be completed by the dentist, please bring them with you and our team will be happy to assist in filling them out. We’re committed to making sure you get the dental care you need with with a smooth claims process.
Our self-claim insurance partners:
- Henner
- Bupa
- MSIG
- CHUBB
- MSH China
- Now Health International
- Globality Health
- Allianz Care
Don’t see your insurance provider as part of our network? No worries, just reach out to us and we will be happy to assist in checking for you.
How do I utilise my dental insurance at Dental Designs Clinic?
Submitting insurance claims in a timely manner can alleviate the financial strain of dental treatments. If you have dental insurance and wish to schedule an appointment with us, just follow these steps for a seamless experience!
1) Before your appointment
When booking your appointment, kindly let us know if you have dental insurance. This will help simplify the billing process on the day of your visit. Our clinic staff are available to address any questions you might have regarding your insurance or coverage before your appointment.
2) Present your insurance during your appointment
When you come to the clinic for your appointment, just show your NRIC/FIN Card and Dental Insurance card or Staff card for registration at the front desk.
3) Check insurance coverage
Depending on your plan, you might have:
- Direct Claim Insurance : We will handle the claim submission directly with your insurance provider, ensuring you do not have to pay upfront for any treatments covered by your plan.
- Self-Claim Insurance : If you are managing the claim on your own, you will settle the payment for your treatment after your visit. We will provide you with a detailed invoice and any necessary documents to facilitate reimbursement through your HR. Should you have insurance forms that require completion, simply pass them to our front desk, and we will assist you with the process.
4) Visit the dentist for your appointment
Your dentist will start your treatment. If there is anything not covered by your insurance, please let your dental know.
5) After your appointment
Our front desk staff will let you know if there are any extra charges or co-pays. If you have direct billing, we’ll take care of processing the claims for you.
6) Book your next appointment
With your insurance information now on file, booking and managing future visits to clinic will be even easier. Just let us know if there have been any changes in your dental insurance coverage or details, and we’ll update our records accordingly.
Conclusion
Root canal infection treatments are usually included in dental insurance plans because they help save a tooth that might otherwise need to be removed due to decay or infection. The level of coverage can vary; some plans might cover the entire cost, while others might ask for a copayment.
Additionally, the coverage might change depending on whether the root canal is for a front or back tooth. Insurance plans generally group dental procedures into preventive, basic, and major categories, which can influence how root canals are covered.
Ready to book a dental appointment with Dental Designs? Simply leave us a message here and we will be right with you!
WhatsApp us at : +65 8200 9092