One of the most common questions new patients have before their first appointment is whether their insurance will be accepted. At Family Dentistry of Lakeland, we want to take the guesswork out of that conversation before you ever pick up the phone. Whether you are in-network, out-of-network, or searching for a dentist who accepts your specific plan, we are here to help you understand your options clearly and make sure you get the care you need.
At Family Dentistry of Lakeland, we accept all PPO insurance plans, including patients whose plans may consider us out-of-network. Being out-of-network does not mean we cannot see you. It simply means your plan has a different reimbursement structure, and we will work with you to make the most of your benefits. As a courtesy to our patients, we file claims on your behalf and track them so you are not left managing that process alone.
Our in-network carriers include:
A note on billing: Payment is due at the time of service. Most insurance companies respond to claims within four to six weeks. Any balance not covered by your insurance plan remains the patient’s responsibility, and we will keep you informed throughout that process.
At Family Dentistry of Lakeland, we proudly welcome veterans, active-duty military, police officers, and city employees. We accept VA benefits and work with most major insurance plans to make quality dental care accessible to those who serve our community.
These terms come up often and can feel confusing, so here is a plain-language breakdown of what they actually mean when you are choosing a dentist in Lakeland.
In-network means Family Dentistry of Lakeland has a contracted agreement with your insurance carrier. When you use an in-network provider, your insurance typically covers a higher percentage of the cost, and your out-of-pocket costs are lower. We are currently in-network with Humana, Cigna, VA/Optum, MetLife, Guardian, and United Healthcare.
Out-of-network means we do not have a contracted rate with your specific carrier, but we can still see you and accept your insurance. Your plan may cover a portion of the visit at a different reimbursement rate. We will file your claim as a courtesy and help you understand what your plan covers before treatment begins. Many patients with out-of-network plans are surprised to find that the difference in cost is smaller than they expected.
Fee-for-service refers to patients who do not have dental insurance at all and pay directly for each service. If this describes your situation, we encourage you to ask our team about payment options, including CareCredit financing, which can help you fit dental care into your monthly budget.
No matter how you are paying, our front desk team is happy to walk you through your options before your appointment so there are no surprises at checkout.
Patients in Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry, and across Polk County often come to us with similar questions about insurance before scheduling. Here are answers to the ones we hear most often.
Yes. We accept all PPO plans, even if we are not in-network with your specific carrier. We will file your insurance claim as a courtesy and help you understand what your plan covers. Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on your plan’s out-of-network reimbursement rate.
Any balance not covered by your insurance is the patient’s responsibility. We are transparent about costs before treatment begins and offer CareCredit as a financing option for patients who need help managing larger treatment costs.
You are still welcome at Family Dentistry of Lakeland. We accept cash, check, and major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also offer CareCredit, which provides flexible financing options for qualifying patients. Please call our office at 863-687-2759 to discuss your situation and we will help find an approach that works for you.
