One of the questions I get asked most often in the clinic —almost before patients ask about the treatment itself— is: "Do you accept dental insurance?" It's not a minor question. Having insurance and not knowing whether you can use it with your dentist holds you back, makes you doubt the real cost and, in many cases, leads you to postpone the visit until the problem actually hurts. That's why accepting insurance isn't just an administrative detail for us —it's a way of opening the door to treatment.
At Especialidades Dentales, in Centro Médico Obispado, we work with three dental insurance providers: Dentegra, Centauro and BX+ Seguros. In this article I'll explain how dental insurance works in Monterrey, which providers we accept, what types of procedures they typically cover, and what steps to follow to use your insurance from your very first visit —no surprises.
How does dental insurance work in Monterrey?
Dental insurance doesn't work the same way as major medical expense insurance. The most important difference is that dental insurance almost always covers a portion of the cost, not the full amount. You remain the dentist's patient; the insurance is a third party that reimburses or directly pays a percentage of the treatment, according to the plan you've purchased.
There are two main mechanisms. In the reimbursement model, you pay for the consultation or treatment and then submit the invoice and clinical documentation so the insurance company refunds you the percentage corresponding to your coverage. In the direct payment model, the clinic bills the insurance and you only cover the copay —the portion your plan doesn't cover. Which one applies depends on the insurance company and the type of plan you have.
What confuses patients most is assuming that "I have insurance" means "I pay nothing." In most plans there's a copay, some procedures are covered at 100% while others at 50% or 30%, and certain treatments aren't included in the policy at all. Coverage depends on your specific plan, not on the insurance company in general: two people with the same insurer can have very different conditions depending on the level they purchased.
Dental insurance providers we accept
We work with three insurance companies. Each has its own catalog of procedures and its own coverage rules, but they all share the same principle: insurance is financial assistance, not a free pass for treatment. Let me briefly explain each one.
Dentegra Seguros Dentales
Dentegra is an insurance company specializing in dental health, which is why their catalog tends to be among the broadest in dental procedures. It covers everything from prevention —cleanings, check-ups, fluoride applications— to more complex treatments like endodontics, periodontics and, in some plans, prosthetics and implants. Their dentist network is proprietary and, to use it, the clinic generally needs to be registered as a provider.
At Especialidades Dentales we're incorporated as Dentegra providers, which means you can present your policy and we'll work directly with the insurance company to validate your coverage before starting treatment. This saves you from having to pay everything out of pocket and managing the reimbursement on your own. What you are responsible for, in almost all plans, is the copay corresponding to each procedure.
Centauro
Centauro offers dental insurance for both individuals and companies, and their plans are often combined with other health products. Centauro's dental coverage works with a catalog of authorized procedures and coverage percentages defined by tier: preventive care tends to be covered at a higher percentage, while restorative and prosthetic work has a lower percentage and sometimes requires waiting periods before it can be used.
If your plan is with Centauro, the ideal scenario is that before booking you confirm with me via WhatsApp that you have this insurance and send me your policy number. That way I can verify the validity and scope of your coverage before you come in, so your first appointment is productive and doesn't get spent on paperwork we could have handled in advance.
BX+ Seguros
BX+ Seguros is the third insurance company we work with. Their dental plans function similarly: a catalog of covered procedures and a coverage percentage that depends on the tier you purchased. Just like with the other two, some procedures require a copay and some treatments may not be included in your policy.
The recommendation is the same for all three insurers: verify your plan details before coming in. If you don't know what your plan includes, your policy number is enough for me to look it up and tell you clearly which procedures are covered and what your copay would be in each case.
What procedures do these insurance plans cover?
In general terms, dental insurance plans divide their catalog into three major categories, and it's in your interest to know them because the coverage percentage varies significantly between them.
The first category is preventive: cleanings, check-ups, routine X-rays, fluoride application and sealants. This is typically covered at the highest percentage —in many plans at 100%— because the insurance company understands that prevention is cheaper than treatment. This is where you get the most value from your insurance if you visit regularly.
The second category is basic restorative: fillings, amalgams, root canals, extractions and periodontics. Coverage here is usually partial, between 50% and 80% depending on the plan, and in some cases there are waiting periods of several months before you can use this benefit. In other words, you can use your insurance from day one for a cleaning, but perhaps not for a root canal until certain months of validity have passed.
The third category is major work: prosthetics, crowns, implants and orthodontics. These procedures typically have the lowest coverage, sometimes 30% to 50%, and frequently require prior authorization from the insurance company. In several plans, orthodontics isn't included or is only covered for minors under a certain age. This isn't a whim of the insurer —it's the logic of the product: what costs the most is what's covered the least.
What I never tire of repeating is that the catalog and percentages depend on the plan. Two people with Dentegra can have very different coverage. That's why the only honest way to tell you "this covers X amount" is to review your specific policy, not to speak in generalities.
Tip before you come in: call your insurance company or review your policy and ask three things: (1) Is Especialidades Dentales within your provider network? (2) What is the coverage percentage for the procedure you need, and is there a waiting period? (3) Do you need prior authorization for that treatment? With those three answers, your first visit will be far more productive.
How to use your dental insurance on your first visit
The process for using your insurance from your first appointment is straightforward, but it's best to follow it in order so we don't lose time on paperwork you could have handled in advance.
First, before booking, message me on WhatsApp and tell me which of the three insurers you have and your policy number. With that I can verify validity and, depending on the case, start the coverage inquiry with the insurance company. This takes minutes and saves you an unproductive visit.
Second, on the day of your appointment bring your valid policy card and an official ID. Without the policy I can't bill the insurance, and you'd have to pay as a private patient even if you have coverage. It seems obvious, but it's the most common reason a visit that was supposed to use insurance ends up being a private-pay appointment.
Third, during the consultation I'll perform the clinical evaluation and explain the treatment plan. If the procedure requires prior authorization from the insurance company —something common with endodontics, periodontics and prosthetics—, I'll prepare the pre-authorization and submit it; the insurance company responds within a timeframe that varies, generally between 48 hours and a week depending on the case. In the meantime, anything preventive or urgent that doesn't require authorization can be addressed.
Fourth, when the treatment is complete, you cover the copay corresponding to your plan and the rest is billed directly to the insurance company. If your plan works through reimbursement instead of direct payment, I'll provide you with the invoice and clinical documentation so you can manage the reimbursement with your insurer. We handle both models.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior authorization for all procedures?
No. Preventive care —cleanings, check-ups, routine X-rays— almost never requires authorization. Restorative and major work usually does, especially endodontics, periodontics, prosthetics and implants. I'll let you know before starting any procedure whether it needs authorization.
Does insurance cover orthodontics?
It depends entirely on the plan. In several insurance plans, orthodontics isn't included in the basic policy or is only partially covered for minors. If you're seeking orthodontic treatment and want to use insurance, check that specific point in your policy before booking.
Can I use my insurance the same day I book?
For preventive care, yes. For procedures that require prior authorization, no —you have to wait for the insurance company's response. That's why the most efficient approach is to message me beforehand with your policy, so we know from the start what can be done at the first appointment and what requires prior paperwork.
What happens if my policy has expired?
It can't be used. An expired policy has no coverage, and even if you're eligible for renewal, until it's active again you have to pay as a private patient. Check the validity before coming in —it's on your card or in your insurance company's app.
Do you accept other insurance plans besides these three?
For now we work with Dentegra, Centauro and BX+ Seguros. If you have a different dental insurance plan, message me on WhatsApp and I'll look into it —in some cases it's possible to arrange reimbursement even if we're not direct providers.
Have dental insurance and want to use it?
Message me on WhatsApp with your policy and I'll tell you what's covered before you book. No obligation.
Book appointment on WhatsApp →Practical summary
- We accept three dental insurance plans: Dentegra, Centauro and BX+ Seguros, at Especialidades Dentales, Centro Médico Obispado, Monterrey.
- Dental insurance almost always covers a portion, not the full amount: there's a copay and the percentage depends on the plan you've purchased.
- Preventive care (cleanings, check-ups) is typically covered at a higher percentage; restorative and major work (root canals, prosthetics, implants) have partial coverage and sometimes waiting periods.
- To use your insurance on your first visit: send your policy via WhatsApp before booking, bring your card and ID on the day of your appointment, and be patient if the procedure requires prior authorization.
- Coverage depends on your specific plan, not on the insurance company in general. The only honest way to tell you what you're entitled to is to review your policy.