Finding Quality Dental Care in Pleasant Hill & Johnston (And Still Using Your Insurance)

Finding the right dentist involves more than searching for someone nearby. For families in Pleasant Hill and Johnston, the process can feel confusing, especially with dental insurance. After all, if dentistry isn’t financially accessible to you, you may be less likely to pursue care until it becomes an emergency, and in the long run, that could cost you a lot more.

At Veranda Dentistry, we believe your choice of dentist should never be limited by an insurance company. We’ve chosen to be a fee-for-service practice, but what does that mean? Let us show you how easy it is to use your dental insurance with our approach.

What Does Fee-For-Service Mean? 

For one thing, it means you can still use your dental insurance benefits at our practice via reimbursement. But because we’re not an in-network provider with your dental insurance plan, we can focus on providing the quality care you deserve, rather than what your insurance contract says they will pay for. 

As Dr. Chad Johnson, DDS, FAGD, explains, “Our goal is to help patients understand their options, use their benefits wisely, and still receive the kind of dental care that truly supports their long-term health.”

Why a Fee-for-Service Practice Is a Great Choice

Dental insurance is a great tool for managing costs, but it can also be a major source of confusion. Many plans focus more on preventive services and have limits on major procedures. A fee-for-service practice like ours puts you and your needs first; neither one of us will be bound by the limitations of a large insurance company. Instead, we can recommend treatment based on what’s truly best for your health. This approach allows you to choose the care you deserve for your family without being limited to a network.

How to Use Your Insurance with a Fee-for-Service Dentist

It may seem like using your insurance with a fee-for-service practice is more complicated, but our team is here to make it easier for you. 

Here’s how it works:

• Treatment and Payment: You receive the care you need and pay for your services at the time of your appointment.
• Form Submission: Request reimbursement from your insurance company with the receipts we provide.
• Reimbursement: Your insurance company sends your reimbursement check directly to you.

To make your care accessible with or without insurance, we have financing options that could help you pay as little as possible upfront. We’ll do what we can to simplify the reimbursement process for you. 

Common Types of Dental Insurance Plans

Not all dental insurance works the same way. Most plans fall into categories that determine how you can access care and what portion of the bill will be reimbursed. Here are a few common types:

• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Offers flexibility in choosing providers, with better coverage when you stay in-network.
• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Requires patients to see designated dentists, often with lower premiums but less flexibility.
• Indemnity Plans: Reimburse a percentage of the treatment cost, allowing you to see almost any dentist, though you may pay more up front.
• Discount or Savings Plans: Not true insurance, but they provide reduced fees with participating providers. Our office offers an in-house savings plan for patients without insurance.

Patients in central Iowa may have access to any of these, and the differences can significantly affect both cost, convenience, and choice. With our approach, you can have the freedom to choose your care regardless of what plan you have.

The Benefits of Our Approach

When you choose a fee-for-service practice, you gain a partner who puts your health first. We can use quality materials and advanced technology, without being limited by insurance company restrictions.

Choosing a dentist is about trust. At Veranda Dentistry, we aim to provide excellent dental care with the reassurance that you can use your benefits without having to figure everything out alone. 

Veranda Dentistry’s Approach to Helping Patients Use Their Benefits

At Veranda Dentistry, we’re happy to help you understand how to use your dental insurance. Since every plan has limits on what it will reimburse, we’ll help you maximize your benefits while getting the care you need. That might mean having your preventive checkups and cleanings before the end of the year, or reviewing financing options for treatments that go beyond your yearly maximum.

Dr. Chad puts it this way: “Insurance is one piece of the puzzle, but it should never prevent you from getting the care you need. Our team is here to help you navigate it and make treatment possible.” 

Combining insurance reimbursement with flexible financing and our in-house savings plan can help you get excellent care while working with your budget. Give us a call today, and we’ll help you make the most of your options.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Your results may vary.