Co-insurance is a cost sharing feature used in many dental insurance plans. After a patient meets the plan’s deductible, the insurance company and the patient share the cost of covered dental services. The portion the patient pays is called co-insurance and is typically expressed as a percentage of the treatment cost.
Dental plans often use different co-insurance levels depending on the type of service provided. Preventive care, such as exams and cleanings, may be covered at a higher percentage by the insurance plan. Basic services like fillings may require the patient to pay a moderate percentage, while major procedures such as crowns or oral surgery may involve higher patient responsibility.
Co-insurance applies only to covered services and is usually calculated based on the insurance company’s allowed amount rather than the dentist’s full fee. Understanding co-insurance helps patients estimate how treatment costs will be shared between them and their insurance provider.