If you’ve ever looked at a dental bill and thought, “Why doesn’t my insurance cover more?” you’re not alone. I hear that question all the time.
As your dentist, I want to be transparent with you. I understand the confusion, the frustration, and the surprise that can come when a treatment you truly need is only partially covered, or sometimes not covered at all. So let’s talk about it.
Let’s talk about why your dental insurance may not be working for you and what we’re doing at Lyons Creek Dental Care to prioritize our relationship with you over the rules of insurance companies.
Here’s What Most People Don’t Know About Dental Insurance
Dental insurance may look like medical insurance, but it isn’t built the same way. Most plans have annual maximums between $1,000–$1,500 – a number that hasn’t changed much since the 1970s. In today’s world, that amount barely scratches the surface when you need anything more than a cleaning or a small filling.
Many of you come in thinking, “I have good insurance, so my crown should be covered,” or “My benefits should take care of this treatment.” And I get it, it seems logical. But insurance companies don’t always operate on logic or clinical need. They operate on contracts and limitations.
Why You Sometimes Feel Like You’re Paying Too Much
If you’ve ever said:
- “This feels too expensive.”
- “My insurance barely covered anything.”
- “Why is this treatment even out-of-pocket?”
…it’s probably because insurance policies aren’t designed to fully support the kind of care that truly protects your long-term health.
Even when we give you a treatment estimate based on your plan, insurance companies can still reduce coverage, change their rules mid-year, or deny something based on outdated guidelines. That puts all of us – especially you – in a tough spot.
The Truth About In-Network Dental Contracts
For years, we’ve participated in contracts that allow insurance companies to set the terms of what care looks like, how much time we can spend with you, and how we’re reimbursed. We’ve honored those agreements, even when they ask us to accept less than what it costs to provide high-quality care.
But here’s the hard truth: when insurance dictates too much of how we deliver care, we start to lose the freedom to serve you with the time, attention, and materials we believe you deserve.
That’s why we want to suggest an alternative to your dental insurance policy that is more predictable and competitive. It’s the Lyons Creek Dental Care Membership Plan.
Why This Option Matters and How It Helps Us Care for You
Our decision to offer this Membership Plan is to strengthen your buying power and our relationship with you for your dental care.
Here’s what this option means for you:
- A significant discount on full-fee dental care for all procedures we offer that never has a ceiling or a limitation.
- An included annual package of cleanings, examinations, x-ray imaging, and emergent care services at no additional cost.
- You’ll receive reliable recommendations based on your unique needs, not worrying or wondering what insurance will approve or deny.
- We’ll work with transparent and predictable pricing, so you always know what to expect.
- And most importantly, we’ll have the freedom to focus on you, not the progressive limitations of an insurance plan.
This is about maintaining trust – the priority we believe should be at the core of every patient-doctor relationship.
What You Can Do Today
- Review our Lyons Creek Dental Care Membership Plan.
If you have questions about how it compares to your dental insurance policy, we’re happy to explain. - Talk to us about what’s ahead for your care and how you can maximize the benefits of the Membership Plan.
We’re here for any questions; whether it’s billing, treatment options, or just understanding how this alternative might work better for you.
We’re wanting you and your family to maximize your care and better manage your budget.
We’re ready to listen, explain, support, and guide you toward the healthiest version of your smile.
And this alternative to insurance? It’s about creating more space to do what we do best: take care of you with clarity, purpose, and integrity.
Call us and talk it over at 206-362-5400 or schedule a visit online. Let’s make sure you’re getting better access to care with solid expectations.
