Bone grafting for implant

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#1 Post by **Sweety** » Thu May 29, 2008 5:36 am

Can anyone please tell whether bone grafting is covered by insurance in US? I understand when done along with jaw surgery, it is covered. But when it is solely done for placing impants later, is it covered? Thanks.

#2 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:11 am

I have not personally had this done, but my boss has, and I just ran to the next office to ask him. Unfortunately, neither his dental nor medical insurance would cover it. (He had a lower incisor removed, bone grafted, and an implant placed.)

Have your dentist check your insurances anyway though. They are all set up differently---you never know.

#3 Post by **Sweety** » Fri May 30, 2008 4:20 am

Thanks TumbleDryLow and Meryaten.

I talked to insurance and they said that after receiving the diagnosis letter from OS, they would let me know about the insurance coverage. And OS office lady said that after doc takes an evaluation, she could answer on that. So I have taken an appointment with OS in July and let's see what they say. I just pray the answer is in my favour.

#4 Post by **rubberbandshurt** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:55 pm

I have a bone graft scheduled for July 16th in preparation for an Implant on my #9 (top left front tooth). Let me tell you first of all, I am soo scared to get this done! But I know I have to. I am already in braces and the whole point was to fix my teeth completely, so an Implant is a part of that plan.

To answer your question, I have Delta Dental and NO it is not covered. I talked with the insurance people on 4 separate occassions hoping for a different answer. They do not cover bone grafts at all. The cost in New Mexico of an autogeneous bone graft is costing me $3,000. For bone grafts with fake bone, it is much cheaper, I think raning from 1500 to 2000 but they say using real bone is better, healthier and higher chance of success. Sorry this wasn't the answer you wanted but, hopefully they give you a different answer than me!! Oh and also, this cost does NOT include the cost of the implant. My implant is costing me an additional $2500.

#5 Post by **wearetheborg** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:21 pm

rubberbandshurt wrote:I have a bone graft scheduled for July 16th in preparation for an Implant on my #9 (top left front tooth). Let me tell you first of all, I am soo scared to get this done! But I know I have to. I am already in braces and the whole point was to fix my teeth completely, so an Implant is a part of that plan.

To answer your question, I have Delta Dental and NO it is not covered. I talked with the insurance people on 4 separate occassions hoping for a different answer. They do not cover bone grafts at all. The cost in New Mexico of an autogeneous bone graft is costing me $3,000. For bone grafts with fake bone, it is much cheaper, I think raning from 1500 to 2000 but they say using real bone is better, healthier and higher chance of success. Sorry this wasn't the answer you wanted but, hopefully they give you a different answer than me!! Oh and also, this cost does NOT include the cost of the implant. My implant is costing me an additional $2500.

I'm getting bone grafts and implants for TWO front teeth, gonna cost me $10,000+

Implants are also not covered under insurance right ?(mine does not).

#6 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:27 am

I work at an OS office and I have seen some cases of bonegrafting covered. Delta Dental, I have not seen them pay on a graft. I have seen some different insurances pay out but not much, they probably covered 20% for the graft and paid nothing on the implant. Good luck with your treatment, I'll cross my fingers that you'll be one of those cases that they'll approve.

#7 Post by **Sweety** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:05 am

Thanks for all the replies. I am really shocked by the prices quoted by rubberbandshurt and wearetheborg. My insurance is BCBS. I need to do implants on tooth#7(uppper right lateral incisor). Smiley, any idea on bcbs coverage for grafts? I have kept my fingers crossed till my appointment with OS.

#8 Post by **Betty Bat** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:55 am

I was pleasantly surprised recently when my insurance covered part of the cost of my implants. Of course, it wasn't much compared to the total cost, but I got $400 to cover the cost of one replacement tooth. I got two implants, one to replace a baby tooth that was pulled when I was 12 and one to replace a baby tooth that was pulled when I was 53 (!). The insurance didn't cover the implant posts, but it did cover some of the cost of the replacement tooth, but only for the one that was pulled recently. The other one was a "preexisting condition"!

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