Tricks to Tame Dental Bills, Insured or Not

Nearly half of Americans lack dental insurance, and every visit carries the threat of a bill for thousands of dollars.

Even those with insurance can face steep costs for major work. Patients often have to pay about 50 percent of the bill after meeting their plan's deductible. On top of that, many plans also have limits of about $1,500 for how much they will pay in a year, and some insurers won't cover pricey procedures like a dental implant.

Here are a few tricks for saving money and trying to manage dental work costs:

— Can I negotiate a bill with my dentist?

If you have insurance coverage, the dentist has already shaved 10 percent to 15 percent off his price in order to get into the insurer's network, so don't expect another discount on top of that.

If you don't have insurance, you may have some wiggle room on the price, as long as you negotiate before you have the care done. That's when you still have the power to take your business elsewhere.

Many dentists will offer around 5 percent off if you pay cash up front, said Dr. Lawrence Wallace, CEO of Larell Surgical Consultants, a California company that evaluates claims for insurers.

Don't be afraid to ask the dentist to charge you the rate they charge insured patients. Whether the dentist is up for that can depend on how their business is doing. Wallace noted that many practices haven't recovered from a drop in patients during the recession when people lost their jobs and their coverage.

— Are there discount cards or other coverage options available for the uninsured?

Some practices are so big they offer their own dental plans that give patients discounts in exchange for monthly premiums. Dentists also can connect patients with a third-party to set up a payment plan, which will tack on interest and other fees.

Some insurers and companies that form dental networks offer discount cards. These can be free or come with a premium. Before signing up for one, patients should understand how the discounts apply and make sure their dentist participates.