Insurer Begins Coverage of Dental Implants
BY DAVID KRESSEL, NOVEMBER 27, 2006
Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana has announced it will offer coverage of dental implants as a part of its standard coverage package, beginning January 1, 2007. Specifically, patients will be able to choose between receiving a bridge or an implant. To date, insurance coverage of implants is not unheard of, but it is rare.
In the press release, Delta Dental's CEO said, "Although implants have been available for many years, advances in dentistry have greatly increased their rate of success. Today, they are often the best method for replacing a single missing tooth in a healthy patient. Therefore, we feel it's the perfect time to incorporate implant coverage as part of our standard benefits."
Delta dental's decision represents a validation by insurers of the products created by the implant companies and placed by general practioners and specialists. While many in the industry may look hesitantly upon this coverage, instead favoring a purely out of pocket payment model, one must consider how little of the costs incurred dental insurance typically covers, when compared to other types of health insurance. The end result of this coverage decision will most likely be more treatment options with limited change on industry economics, creating more patient choice and better patient outcomes.
