Why More Upper Peninsula Residents Are Traveling to Green Bay for Dental Care
For many residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, finding a dentist has become increasingly challenging. Beyond the well-known shortage of dental providers, another trend has emerged: a growing number of dental practices are choosing not to participate in dental insurance networks or are requiring patients to pay at the time of service before seeking reimbursement from their insurance company. While this approach works well for some patients, it can create financial and logistical challenges for families who purchased dental insurance expecting to receive the full benefits of their coverage.
As a result, many U.P. residents are discovering that traveling to Green Bay, Wisconsin—often just a two- to three-hour drive depending on location—can provide greater access to dentists who actively participate with major dental insurance plans.
Why Are Dentists Leaving Insurance Networks?
It's important to understand that dentists who opt out of insurance networks are not necessarily providing lower-quality care. In fact, many are highly respected providers who have made a business decision based on the realities of modern dental practice.
Many dentists cite several reasons for leaving insurance networks, including:
Low reimbursement rates from insurance companies.
Increasing administrative paperwork and claim requirements.
Restrictions on treatment recommendations and reimbursement schedules.
Greater freedom to determine fees based on the actual cost of providing care.
The Michigan Dental Association has noted that insurance contracts often limit what dentists are paid and that participating practices may have little control over reimbursement amounts.
For dentists, operating outside of insurance networks can allow them to spend more time with patients, invest in newer technology, and reduce administrative overhead.
What Does This Mean for Patients?
When your dentist is out-of-network or does not bill insurance directly, several things may happen:
You may pay the full cost of treatment upfront.
The dental office may provide paperwork for you to submit to your insurance company.
Your insurance may reimburse only a portion of the expense—or nothing at all—depending on your plan.
Your out-of-pocket costs may be significantly higher than if you visited an in-network provider.
Many patients mistakenly believe that simply having dental insurance guarantees lower costs regardless of where they receive care. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case.
The Growing Challenge in the Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula has long faced shortages of healthcare providers, including dentists. Residents frequently report long waiting lists, difficulty finding providers accepting new patients, and limited availability for specialty services. Community discussions have highlighted appointment delays that can stretch many months or longer in some areas.
When those limited providers also choose not to participate with insurance networks, patients may find themselves with very few affordable options close to home.
Why Green Bay Has Become an Attractive Alternative
For many U.P. residents, Green Bay offers several advantages.
Larger Provider Network
Green Bay's larger metropolitan area supports a significantly greater number of dental practices than most Upper Peninsula communities.
More providers generally means:
More appointment availability
Greater competition
Wider selection of specialists
More practices accepting major insurance plans
Better Insurance Participation
While not every Green Bay dentist participates in insurance networks, many do accept large national carriers such as:
Delta Dental
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare Dental
MetLife
Guardian
Principal
Humana
Blue Cross dental products
Patients often have a much easier time locating in-network providers than in smaller rural communities.
Access to Specialists
Green Bay also offers easier access to:
Oral surgeons
Endodontists
Periodontists
Prosthodontists
Pediatric dentists
Orthodontists
Instead of traveling to multiple cities for different procedures, patients can often complete their treatment in one community.
Is the Drive Worth It?
For many families, the answer is yes.
Consider a patient needing:
Two crowns
Several fillings
A deep cleaning
Receiving treatment from an in-network dentist may reduce total costs by hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars, depending on the dental plan. Even after accounting for fuel and travel time, many patients find the overall savings worthwhile.
Additionally, many Green Bay dental offices can complete multiple procedures during a single visit, reducing the need for repeated trips.
Questions to Ask Before Scheduling
Whether choosing a dentist locally or in Green Bay, patients should ask:
Are you currently in-network with my insurance plan?
Will you bill my insurance directly?
What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be?
Will I receive a written treatment estimate?
Do you offer payment plans or financing?
Getting these answers beforehand can help avoid unexpected expenses.
Other Alternatives
Traveling to Green Bay isn't the only option.
Patients may also consider:
Community dental clinics that participate with numerous insurance plans. Some organizations accept a wide variety of commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage dental plans.
Dental schools (where available)
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Practices offering membership or discount plans for uninsured patients
Each option has different costs and availability depending on your location and insurance coverage.
Making an Informed Decision
Ultimately, choosing a dentist involves balancing several factors:
Quality of care
Convenience
Cost
Insurance participation
Appointment availability
Long-term relationship with the provider
Many out-of-network dentists provide outstanding care, and for some patients, maintaining an established relationship with a trusted dentist is well worth the additional expense. Others may find that using an in-network provider allows them to maximize the value of the dental insurance they already pay for each month.
For Upper Peninsula residents facing limited local options, expanding the search to Green Bay may provide access to more participating providers, shorter wait times, and lower overall treatment costs.
Final Thoughts
Dental insurance is designed to help make preventive and restorative care more affordable, but its value depends heavily on the availability of participating providers. As more dental practices nationwide reevaluate their relationships with insurance companies, patients should take an active role in understanding their coverage and exploring all available options.
For many families across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a short drive to Green Bay may provide greater choice, better access to in-network care, and meaningful savings—while still receiving high-quality dental treatment. Before scheduling care, always confirm directly with both your dental office and your insurance company that the provider is currently in-network, as participation can change over time.