Short Description
The percentage of the cost a patient must pay for a covered dental service after meeting their deductible.
Long Description
Coinsurance is the portion of a dental bill that a patient is responsible for paying after their insurance has covered its share. It is typically expressed as a percentage, such as 80/20, meaning the insurance covers 80% and the patient pays 20% of the allowed amount for a service.
Different types of dental services (preventive, basic, major) often have varying coinsurance rates. For example, preventive care may be covered at 100%, while fillings and extractions may have 80/20 coverage, and crowns or root canals may be 50/50.
Understanding coinsurance helps patients plan for out-of-pocket costs. Since insurance only pays up to the annual maximum, patients may need to budget for high-cost treatments accordingly.