Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance coverage is almost as much of a necessity as medical insurance coverage and at times paying cash for necessary dental work can put a strain on your budget. Dental insurance is not always offered by companies or employers making it necessary for you to decide what type of coverage to get or if you can even afford it at all. When making this decision as to whether or not to get insurance (either through your employer or through an independent agent) you need to check out several plans and be sure to ask questions.
For example, most companies have a yearly maximum amount that they will pay. It does renew every year, but if you have not used all of your benefits they normally do not carry over. Some companies require that you go to a contracted dentist, so you need to ask if that is the case or if you are allowed to select your own dentist. If they require you to use one of their dentists consider asking if they have a listing of
these dentists in your area so that you can see if they have a dentist in the area that you would consider going to see first. Some companies and plans will allow you to go to your own dentist, but they may also reduce the amount of costs they will cover.
Most dental insurance companies have what is called a UCR (Usual,Customary and Reasonable) fee guide. Basically what this means is that the companies set their own prices that they will allow for all dental procedures. This amount is not necessarily what the dentist charges but what the company wishes to pay. For instance, if a dentist charges $65 for a check-up your insurance company may only allow $45 for a check-up because that is the fee (UCR) they have set up. There is one advantage that you will have if the company requires you to see one of their contracted dentists you should not have to pay the difference between the fees.
You may even check with your current dentist to see what types of plans they offer, if any. Or, if you do not have a dentist, speak with family and friends for word of mouth recommendations or contact a company that specializes in locating dentists. They will take all of your requirements and see if there is something suitable for you.
For example, most companies have a yearly maximum amount that they will pay. It does renew every year, but if you have not used all of your benefits they normally do not carry over. Some companies require that you go to a contracted dentist, so you need to ask if that is the case or if you are allowed to select your own dentist. If they require you to use one of their dentists consider asking if they have a listing of
these dentists in your area so that you can see if they have a dentist in the area that you would consider going to see first. Some companies and plans will allow you to go to your own dentist, but they may also reduce the amount of costs they will cover.
Most dental insurance companies have what is called a UCR (Usual,Customary and Reasonable) fee guide. Basically what this means is that the companies set their own prices that they will allow for all dental procedures. This amount is not necessarily what the dentist charges but what the company wishes to pay. For instance, if a dentist charges $65 for a check-up your insurance company may only allow $45 for a check-up because that is the fee (UCR) they have set up. There is one advantage that you will have if the company requires you to see one of their contracted dentists you should not have to pay the difference between the fees.
You may even check with your current dentist to see what types of plans they offer, if any. Or, if you do not have a dentist, speak with family and friends for word of mouth recommendations or contact a company that specializes in locating dentists. They will take all of your requirements and see if there is something suitable for you.
Labels: dental, dental-plans, dentist, oral-care, orthodontist
# posted by Good Info to Know @ 8:06 PM 
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