Looking for a UNUM or Colonial Life Dentist in Chattanooga, TN?
Dr. Zack Youngblood
If you work for UNUM or Colonial Life in Chattanooga and have been searching for a dentist who is in-network with your dental insurance, we have some exciting news...
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is now an in-network dental provider with UNUM and Colonial Life dental insurance.
That means UNUM and Colonial Life employees in Chattanooga now have another option for using their dental benefits while receiving modern general, restorative, and cosmetic dental care in one office.
But being “in-network” can mean more than simply getting your cleanings covered.
Depending on your specific plan and treatment, visiting an in-network dentist may give you access to negotiated fees that can reduce what you pay for dental care. In some cases, those in-network savings may even be relevant when planning cosmetic dental treatment that your insurance does not directly cover.
Here’s what you should know.
What Does It Mean to Be In-Network with UNUM or Colonial Life Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance can be confusing, especially when terms like in-network, out-of-network, deductible, annual maximum, allowed amount, and patient responsibility start showing up.
Being an in-network dentist generally means the dental office participates in a network associated with your dental plan and agrees to follow the network's contracted or negotiated fee structure for applicable services.
Think of it this way:
A dental office has its normal fee for a procedure. Your insurance network may have negotiated a different fee for that procedure with participating dentists.
When applicable, that negotiated amount becomes the basis for determining the cost of treatment rather than simply starting with the office's regular cash fee.
That difference can represent savings before your insurance benefit is even applied.
In-Network Fee vs. Cash Fee: What's the Difference?
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of dental insurance.
Let's use a simplified example.
Imagine a dental procedure normally has a cash fee of $1,400.
Your dental network's negotiated in-network fee for that same procedure might hypothetically be $1,050.
Before considering how much the insurance company actually contributes, the starting price has already potentially decreased by $350 because of the applicable network agreement.
Then your individual dental benefits may contribute toward the $1,050 allowed fee according to the terms of your plan.
Your actual cost will depend on factors including your specific policy, deductible, annual maximum, coverage percentage, waiting periods, frequency limitations, and the procedure being performed.
The important distinction is this:
Insurance coverage and in-network pricing are not necessarily the same thing.
Your insurance benefit determines how much your plan may pay toward a procedure.
Your network status can affect the fee used to calculate the cost of that procedure.
Book Your New Patient Experience - By Phone
Book Your New Patient Experience - Online
Check your in-network status with MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
Can Being In-Network Save Me Money on Cosmetic Dentistry?
Potentially, and this is where things get particularly interesting for patients interested in improving their smiles.
Many people assume:
“If my insurance doesn't cover cosmetic dentistry, then my dental insurance doesn't help me at all.”
That isn't always the full picture.
Many purely cosmetic procedures are excluded from dental insurance benefits. However, depending on the procedure and the terms of the applicable provider agreement, an in-network patient may still have access to contracted fees.
In other words, there can be a difference between:
“My insurance company pays for this procedure.”
and:
“My insurance network affects the fee for this procedure.”
Those are two different concepts.
For example, porcelain veneers are commonly considered an elective cosmetic treatment and may not receive an insurance benefit.
However, depending on the patient's plan, procedure and applicable network agreement, the contracted fee associated with an in-network provider may still differ from the dentist's standard cash fee.
That is why we recommend having our team review your specific benefits and treatment plan rather than assuming something is or isn't affordable simply because it is considered cosmetic.
Why This Matters for UNUM and Colonial Life Employees in Chattanooga
UNUM has a major presence in Chattanooga, which means many people in our community receive dental benefits through UNUM or Colonial Life.
Now, those employees have access to an in-network dental office located right here in Chattanooga's Southside.
At MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics, our approach combines general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry so patients don't necessarily have to choose between finding a dentist who works with their insurance and finding a dentist who understands aesthetics.
You can come to us for your routine dental care while also having access to more comprehensive smile treatments when you want them.
Our services include:
- Preventive dental exams and cleanings
- Digital X-rays and advanced dental imaging
- Tooth-colored fillings
- Porcelain crowns
- Dental implants
- Invisalign
- Professional teeth whitening
- Porcelain veneers
- Cosmetic smile makeovers
- Emergency dental care
Our goal is to help you maintain a healthy smile while giving you options to improve it when you're ready.
Does UNUM Dental Insurance Cover Cleanings?
Coverage depends on your specific dental plan, but preventive dental care is commonly one of the strongest benefits included in dental insurance.
UNUM specifically notes that its dental benefits can provide preventive care at little to no out-of-pocket cost, while exact benefits depend on the applicable plan.
Services may include things such as:
- Routine dental exams
- Professional teeth cleanings
- Dental X-rays
- Other preventive services
Before your appointment, our team can review your benefits and provide an estimate based on the information available from your insurance company.
Book Your New Patient Experience - By Phone
Book Your New Patient Experience - Online
Check your in-network status with MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
What About Fillings, Crowns, Root Canals, and Other Dental Work?
Your exact benefits depend on the dental plan you selected.
Dental insurance plans commonly divide treatment into categories such as preventive, basic, and major services. Different categories may receive different benefit percentages.
Your plan may also include a deductible and annual maximum.
For example, having a procedure listed as a covered benefit does not necessarily mean the insurance company pays the entire bill.
Instead, your cost may be determined by several things working together:
In-network contracted fee → insurance benefit → deductible → remaining patient responsibility
Our team helps patients understand these numbers before moving forward with treatment whenever possible.
What If I Want Invisalign?
This is another reason choosing a cosmetic-focused in-network dentist can be helpful.
Some dental plans include orthodontic benefits while others do not. Plans that include orthodontic coverage may also have separate lifetime maximums, age restrictions, waiting periods, or other limitations.
If Invisalign is part of your smile goals, we can review your available dental benefits and determine whether your plan includes an orthodontic benefit.
Even if your particular plan does not contribute toward Invisalign, we can discuss your treatment cost and available payment options.
What If I Want Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are generally considered cosmetic treatment, so many dental plans do not provide a direct insurance benefit for them.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean you should ignore your dental insurance when planning a smile makeover.
First, applicable network pricing may affect treatment fees depending on your plan and the provider agreement.
Second, smile makeovers frequently involve more than veneers.
Before placing veneers, we may identify dental treatment that needs to be completed first. Your insurance may provide benefits toward eligible procedures such as exams, X-rays, fillings, periodontal treatment, crowns, or other necessary dental care.
By using your dental benefits strategically, we can help you understand the cost of getting your mouth healthy while planning the cosmetic result you ultimately want.
Book Your New Patient Experience - By Phone
Book Your New Patient Experience - Online
Check your in-network status with MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
A Cosmetic Dentist Who Is Also In-Network with UNUM and Colonial Life
This is where we believe MDRN MUSE offers something different for Chattanooga patients.
You shouldn't necessarily have to choose between an in-network dentist and a cosmetic dentist.
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics was created around the idea that dental health and smile aesthetics belong together.
Dr. Zack Youngblood takes a comprehensive approach to treatment planning, considering not only the health of your teeth but also your bite, tooth position, proportions, color, symmetry, and overall smile.
That might mean simply maintaining your healthy smile with routine preventive care.
Or your long-term plan might involve a combination such as:
Invisalign → Whitening → Porcelain Veneers
The goal is to create a treatment plan around what actually makes sense for your smile rather than treating each tooth or procedure in isolation.
How Do I Know What My UNUM or Colonial Life Plan Will Cover?
The easiest answer is: let us check.
Dental benefits can vary significantly between plans, even when two people have insurance through the same company.
Before treatment, our team can review available benefit information and help you understand:
- Whether we are considered in-network under your specific plan
- Your deductible
- Your annual maximum
- Preventive benefits
- Basic and major restorative benefits
- Orthodontic benefits, when applicable
- Estimated insurance contribution
- Estimated patient responsibility
Insurance estimates are never a guarantee of payment because the final determination is made by the insurance carrier after a claim is processed.
But our goal is to make the financial side of dentistry much easier to understand before you move forward.
Looking for the Best UNUM Dentist in Chattanooga?
If you're a UNUM or Colonial Life employee searching for a dentist in Chattanooga who is in-network with your dental insurance, we'd love to welcome you to MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics.
We're located in Chattanooga's Southside and offer comprehensive dental care in a modern, boutique environment designed to feel very different from the traditional dental office.
Whether you're simply looking for a new dentist for your routine cleanings or you've been thinking about completely transforming your smile, you can start in the same place.
And now, your UNUM or Colonial Life dental benefits may help make getting started even easier.
Book Your New Patient Experience - By Phone
Book Your New Patient Experience - Online
Check your in-network status with MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
Ready to Use Your UNUM or Colonial Life Dental Benefits?
If you've been searching Google for:
“UNUM dentist near me”
“UNUM dentist Chattanooga TN”
“Dentist that accepts UNUM dental insurance”
“Colonial Life dentist Chattanooga”
“Colonial Life dentist near me”
“In-network dentist Chattanooga TN”
“Cosmetic dentist that accepts UNUM insurance”
you've found us.
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is now in-network with UNUM and Colonial Life dental insurance, and we're welcoming new patients.
Schedule your New Patient Experience and our team can help verify your benefits, explain your estimated costs, and create a personalized plan for your healthiest and most confident smile.
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
1607 Central Ave., Suite 117
Chattanooga, TN 37408
(423) 375-4111
Book Your New Patient Experience - By Phone
Book Your New Patient Experience - Online
Check your in-network status with MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics
Frequently Asked Questions About UNUM & Colonial Life Dental Insurance
Is MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics in-network with UNUM dental insurance?
Yes. MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is an in-network dental provider with UNUM dental insurance. If you have dental coverage through UNUM, our team can help review your benefits and estimate your out-of-pocket costs before treatment.
Because individual plans can vary, we recommend verifying your specific benefits before beginning treatment.
Is MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics in-network with Colonial Life dental insurance?
Yes. MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is also in-network with Colonial Life dental insurance. Colonial Life employees and policyholders in the Chattanooga area can use our office for preventive, restorative, and cosmetic-focused dental care.
Our team can help review your individual plan and explain how your benefits may apply to recommended treatment.
Where can I find a UNUM dentist in Chattanooga, TN?
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is located in Chattanooga's Southside and is in-network with UNUM dental insurance.
We provide preventive dentistry, restorative care, Invisalign, dental implants, professional whitening, porcelain veneers, and other cosmetic dental services.
Where can I find a Colonial Life dentist in Chattanooga?
MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is an in-network Colonial Life dental provider located in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
If you are looking for a dentist who can provide routine dental care while also helping you improve the appearance of your smile, our office offers both general and cosmetic dentistry.
What does it mean when a dentist is in-network with my dental insurance?
An in-network dentist participates in your insurance network and agrees to applicable contracted or negotiated fees for covered services.
This can reduce the amount used to calculate the cost of your dental treatment compared with the dentist's standard fee.
Your final out-of-pocket cost will still depend on your specific plan, including your deductible, annual maximum, coverage percentages, exclusions, and remaining benefits.
What is the difference between an in-network fee and a cash fee?
A cash fee is the dentist's standard fee for a service when insurance network pricing does not apply.
An in-network fee is a negotiated or contracted amount associated with the insurance network.
For example, a procedure might have a standard fee of $1,400 but an applicable in-network fee of $1,050. Your insurance benefits would then generally be calculated according to the terms of your plan using the applicable allowed amount.
The exact fee and insurance contribution vary by procedure and dental plan.
Can I still receive an in-network discount if my insurance does not cover cosmetic dentistry?
Possibly.
Insurance coverage and in-network pricing are two separate concepts. A cosmetic procedure may not receive an insurance payment, but depending on the procedure, your specific plan, and the applicable provider agreement, network pricing may still affect the fee.
Because cosmetic benefits and network rules can vary, our team can review your treatment plan and available insurance information before you make a decision.
Does UNUM dental insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Many dental insurance plans do not provide benefits for procedures performed solely for cosmetic purposes, such as elective porcelain veneers or cosmetic whitening.
However, certain procedures may have both restorative and cosmetic components, and your specific benefits may vary.
The best way to know what applies to your treatment is to have our team review your individual dental plan.
Does UNUM dental insurance cover Invisalign?
Some dental plans include orthodontic benefits, while others do not. Plans with orthodontic benefits may also have separate lifetime maximums, age restrictions, waiting periods, or other limitations.
If you are considering Invisalign, MDRN MUSE can review your available benefits and help determine whether your specific plan includes an orthodontic benefit.
Does Colonial Life dental insurance cover Invisalign?
Orthodontic coverage depends on the individual Colonial Life dental plan.
If orthodontic benefits are included, Invisalign may qualify depending on the terms of the plan. Our team can review your benefits and provide an estimate before treatment begins.
Does UNUM dental insurance cover veneers?
Porcelain veneers are typically considered cosmetic when they are performed primarily to improve the appearance of otherwise healthy teeth, so many dental plans do not provide a direct insurance benefit for them.
However, your insurance may still be useful for other dental treatment needed before or during a smile makeover, and applicable network pricing may vary according to your plan and provider agreement.
Can I use my UNUM or Colonial Life dental insurance for cleanings and exams?
Dental insurance frequently includes preventive benefits for routine exams, cleanings, and dental X-rays, although exact coverage varies by plan.
Our team can review your benefits before your appointment and provide an estimate of your expected patient responsibility.
How do I know how much my dental insurance will pay?
Your estimated insurance benefit depends on several factors, including your deductible, annual maximum, coverage percentage, remaining benefits, frequency limitations, and the type of treatment you need.
MDRN MUSE can obtain available benefit information and provide an estimate before treatment.
Insurance estimates are not guarantees of payment because the insurance company makes the final benefit determination when the claim is processed.
Can MDRN MUSE verify my UNUM or Colonial Life dental benefits before my appointment?
Yes. Our team can review available insurance information and help you understand your estimated benefits and out-of-pocket costs.
We can also help explain terms such as deductibles, annual maximums, allowed fees, insurance estimates, and patient responsibility.
Do I need to work for UNUM or Colonial Life to have one of these dental plans?
Not necessarily. Dental benefits may be offered through different employers, groups, or benefit arrangements.
What matters most is the specific dental insurance plan you are enrolled in and whether MDRN MUSE participates in the network associated with that plan.
Is MDRN MUSE accepting new UNUM and Colonial Life patients?
Yes. MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics is welcoming new patients with UNUM and Colonial Life dental insurance.
Patients can schedule a New Patient Experience to establish care, review their dental health, discuss any cosmetic concerns, and create a personalized treatment plan.
