6150 W. Higgins Ave Chicago, IL 60630
Blue Cross Blue Shield Dentist in Chicago, IL
Most people don't realize how much their Blue Cross Blue Shield plan actually covers until they sit down with a team that knows how to use it — and that's exactly what happens at Smile Era Dental.
When you come in, you won't be left guessing about your benefits. Before your appointment, we verify your BCBS coverage so you know what to expect. Dr. Josh Philip and Dr. Soumya Thomas take the time to walk you through your treatment options with your plan in mind, not around it. The front desk team handles the claims, the paperwork, and the back-and-forth with insurance so you can just focus on your visit.
Smile Era Dental is located at 6150 W Higgins Ave in Chicago, with hours that stretch into evenings and include Saturdays — because we know life doesn't always fit a 9-to-5 schedule. If you're ready to put your BCBS benefits to work, we're welcoming new patients right now.
What Does Your Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan Cover Here?
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans typically follow a tiered coverage structure. Preventive care — things like routine cleanings, exams, and X-rays — is usually covered at the highest level, often with little to no out-of-pocket cost when you stay in-network. That means your twice-a-year checkups are generally the most affordable visits you'll have, and they're also the ones that help you avoid bigger problems down the road.
Basic restorative services like fillings are usually covered at a solid percentage after your deductible, while major work — crowns, root canals, extractions, and sometimes dentures — tends to be covered at a lower percentage and may have a waiting period depending on how long you've had the plan. Most BCBS plans also come with an annual maximum, which is the total amount your insurance will pay in a given year. Once you hit that cap, you're responsible for the rest. Every plan is a little different, though, so it's always worth verifying your specific benefits before your first visit. We're happy to help with that.
Smile Era Dental Is an In-Network BCBS Provider
Being in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield means Smile Era Dental has a direct contract with your insurance company. That contract sets the rates we charge for covered services, which is what keeps your out-of-pocket costs lower than they'd be at an out-of-network office.
In plain terms: you pay less when you come here. Instead of being reimbursed after the fact or paying the difference between what a provider charges and what BCBS allows, you get the full benefit of your plan from the start. There are no surprise markups or inflated fees — just your contracted rate applied directly to your care. It's one of the most practical reasons to choose an in-network provider, and it makes a real difference over the course of a year.
Why Chicago Patients Choose Smile Era Dental
Dr. Josh Philip and Dr. Soumya Thomas built this practice around the idea that dental care should feel like care — not a transaction. Patients at Smile Era often say they finally feel like someone is actually listening to them. Both doctors take time to explain what they're seeing, what it means, and what your options are. There's no pressure, no rushing through appointments.
The office is right here in Chicago on W Higgins Ave, and the hours are genuinely flexible — early mornings on Thursdays, evening appointments on Mondays, and Saturdays too. That kind of access matters when you're trying to fit dental care into a real life. Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, the team treats you like you belong here. To get started, call us at (773) 594-0655 or book online anytime.
Ready to use your Blue Cross Blue Shield benefits? Give us a call at (773) 594-0655 or book your visit online — we'd love to see you.
Call us: (773) 594-0655
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we do! Smile Era Dental is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. That means Dr. Josh Philip and Dr. Soumya Thomas have agreed to contracted rates with BCBS, so your insurance goes further here than it would at an out-of-network office. Give us a call at (773) 594-0655 and we can verify your specific plan before your visit.
When you see an in-network dentist, your insurance pays a bigger share of the bill because we’ve pre-negotiated our fees with BCBS. Out-of-network offices can charge whatever they want, and you end up covering the difference. Staying in-network usually means lower out-of-pocket costs for you — sometimes significantly lower, depending on your plan.
Most BCBS plans cover preventive care — like cleanings, exams, and X-rays — at a high level, often with little or no cost to you. Basic restorative work like fillings is usually covered at a lower percentage, and major work like crowns or root canals even more so. Your exact coverage depends on your specific plan, so we’re happy to check the details for you.
In most cases, yes. Being in-network in Chicago means we bill BCBS directly at contracted rates, which are lower than what out-of-network offices charge. You’re not paying the gap between a dentist’s full fee and what insurance covers. It’s a real difference, especially if you need anything beyond a routine cleaning.
Absolutely — Smile Era Dental is welcoming new patients right now. Whether you’ve had a dentist for years or haven’t seen one in a while, Dr. Philip and Dr. Thomas are here to help. We’ll take a look at your BCBS coverage before your appointment so you know what to expect. Call us at (773) 594-0655 to get started.
The easiest way is to call us at (773) 594-0655 — our team will get you set up and can check your Blue Cross Blue Shield benefits at the same time. If you’d rather not call, you can also book online through our website. Either way, we’ll make sure your first visit to our Chicago office goes smoothly.