Insurance Plan Participation

On the day of your consultation you will be given information regarding the charges for the procedures you will be having done in our office. It is important for you to know what your insurance policy covers. We recommend that you check with your insurance company if you have any questions regarding your benefits.

Due to the growing number of insurance companies and plans available, it has become difficult for us to call and verify insurance coverage for every patient. We have found the phone policy of many insurance companies to be that they may only verify general benefit information to the doctors office. They usually cannot quote exact procedure fees, so we are not able to calculate the exact amount your insurance will pay.Thus, in most cases, we will collect an estimated amount due before your surgery. In selected cases a deposit will be collected before surgery can be scheduled.

You will want to be aware that any information received by phone from an insurance company is not a binding agreement for payment.

We are happy to file your insurance claim forms to assist you in receiving the benefits your insurance company has contracted to provide you.

Please be aware that all deductables must be met before insurance benefits are awarded.

 Please check with your insurance carrier first to make sure Dr. Whitesides is a provider. For those who are not "in network" out-of-network benefits may apply.

Key Questions to Ask Your Insurance When Verifying Your Benefits:

• Yearly policy maximum
• Benefits used so far in your calendar year
• Calendar year dates
• Usual and customary fees foe the procedures you are having done
• Is general anesthesia a covered benefit for the procedures you are having done?
• Percent of coverage you are currently at.
• Verify class code of procedures you are having done (extractions are usually Class ll)
  • If you have two insurances, does your plan have a non-duplication of benefits clause?
  • Age limit for dependent children
  • Student verification requirement
  • Pre-Determinations

If you or your insurance company requests, we will submit a pre-determination to your dental insurance to help you verify your coverage before surgery. Results from pre-determinations may take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks depending on your insurance company.

Benefits That May Not Be Covered By Your Insurance:

General anesthesia for extraction of erupted teeth (codes 07110 and 07120), surgical erupted teeth (code 07210) and residual tooth roots (code 07250).

Having general anesthesia may be in your best interest for the type of surgery you are having, but it may not be a covered benefit by your insurance.

Medical Plans/Networks:

We are associated with the following Dental Plans and/or dental networks:

• Aetna/US Healthcare
• Affordable Network (now First Health)
• American Dental
• Ameriplan
• Association Dental
• Avesis
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield of GA
• BCBS of Alabama
• Careington
• Cigna HMO/POS
• Compdent
• Comprehensive Dental
• Countrywide
• Delta Dental
• Dental Care Management
• Dental Directory Services
• Dental Health Alliance
• Dental Networks of America
• Dentemax, Direct Dental Plan
• Georgia Dental Plan
• GEHA, Guardian
• Metlife
• Mutually Preferred
• National Dental Plan
• NHCD
• Oral Health Services
• Phoenix, Preferred
• Dental Plan
• Protective Dental
• Prudential Healthcare
• Signature Dental
• Southeast Dental
• Spectera
• Summitt Dental
• Unicare
• United Concordia
• Wellpoint