A dental insurance question (vs, dentist, cost, crown)

[Thundarr457]

I always had Dental insurance from work. When I retired I decided to drop it since the cost vs benefit wasn't there. My question is: If I have dental insurance and go to my dentist for a crown lets say, do they charge me the same through my insurance as I would pay as a cash patient. I understand dental insurance companies like Delta negotiate a rate for a proceedure. Is that rate the same as a cash patient would pay? Do dentists gouge cash patients to make up for taking less from insured ones? For example I was charged 1500 for a crown. If I had insurance that would cover 50%, would I pay 50% of 1500 or 50% of a lesser amount that Delta had negotiated? I am asking this to determine if its worth it to get Dental insurance again. Thanks for any assistance.

[toofache32]

The negotiated rate is lower than the regular rate. For a 1500 crown, maybe the insurance rate is 1200. You would pay 600 and the insurance would pay the other 600. But there are many stipulations, limitations, and exceptions.
For example, if you have used your benefits for the year (usually around 1200) then the insurance company no longer pays anything.