European health insurance administration

Exploring the process of reclaiming costs for dental procedures abroad: A comprehensive guide for patients

Our clinic is dedicated to providing comprehensive service and comfort to our Patients, extending our support to reclaiming the costs of dental procedures abroad. We prepare a personalized dossier for each Patient, collecting all necessary documents during their stay with us. Upon completion of treatments, this dossier is handed over to the Patient, ensuring they have all the required documents for insurance processing.

Below is a detailed explanation of the procedure, where our expert team guides the Patient through the necessary steps:

Document Collection

Medical documents: Our clinic provides detailed descriptions of dental treatments, including the type, procedure, and treatment date in the treatment plan accepted by the Patient. Additionally, pre-treatment and post-treatment panoramic X-rays or CBCT scans are included.

Invoices and payment receipts: We collectively gather all required invoices, payment receipts, and bills for the Patient, which are necessary for proving to the insurance company that the treatments have been paid for.

Medical referral (if needed): In rare cases, a medical referral may be required if the insurance company demands it to verify the treatment. Our clinic assists in obtaining a referral from the general practitioner, ensuring that the insurance company acknowledges the treatment’s necessity and appropriately reimburses the costs.

Insurance claim form: The insurance claim form must be requested by the Patient from their insurance company. We ensure the form is correctly filled out so that all necessary information is properly included.

Submitting the Claim Patients must submit the above-collected documents to their respective health insurance providers.

Submission method: The documents can be submitted by mail or in person at the relevant health insurance office. In some cases, online submission is also possible if the insurance company provides such a service.

Deadlines: The submission deadline for the claim is usually within six months from the date of treatment completion.

Processing and Evaluation of Claims

Insurance Review: The insurance company reviews the claim and checks if all necessary documents are in place.

Additional Documents: If the insurance company requires further information, we assist in obtaining and submitting all supplementary documents.

Payment

Processing Time: The processing of claims typically takes 2-3 months. Payment Method: The reimbursement is made via bank transfer to the Patient’s bank account.

Which Procedures Are Covered by Insurance?

European health insurance providers cover certain dental procedures’ costs; however, it’s important to note that the extent of coverage and reimbursement conditions may vary depending on the type of treatment. Here are the main dental procedures that are generally covered by insurance:

Basic Dental Care

• Fillings: Preparation of amalgam and composite fillings.
• Scaling and Polishing: Regular tartar removal and tooth polishing.

Root Canal Treatment

• Endodontic Treatments: Root canal treatments aimed at curing pulp inflammation and saving the tooth.

Dental Prosthetics

• Crowns and Bridges: Preparation of crowns and bridges used for tooth restoration.
• Dentures: Removable dental prostheses, such as partial or full dentures.

Surgical Procedures

• Surgical Extraction: Tooth extractions, including simple and surgical extractions.
• Implant Surgery: Covered only in certain cases and conditions, often requiring separate approval. 

Orthodontics

Children and Adolescents: Insurance usually covers orthodontic treatments for children and adolescents under the age of 16.

Adults:Limited cases may be reimbursed and require special justification.

Special treatments

Periodontal Treatments: Treatment of gum diseases, including some gum and jawbone therapies.

Emergency care: Urgent treatments for acute dental problems.

For treatments covered by insurance, the reimbursement amount is generally determined based on the official tariff of the treatment which may be lower than the actual cost of the treatment. The difference needs to be covered out of pocket by the patient, unless they have additional private health insurance that provides further coverage.

It is always advisable to inquire and consult with the insurance company in advance about the planned treatment and the reimbursement conditions, especially if the dental procedures are performed abroad.

Our Clinic’s administrative team strives to make the reimbursement process for dental treatments performed abroad as easy, quick, and hassle-free as possible for our Patients.

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