Things to Know

Deductible

Similar to car insurance, this is the amount you have to pay before your benefit plan begins to pay the cost of your dental treatment.

Maximums

This is the most money a dental plan will pay for dental care within a benefit period. Once you reach the maximum amount, you will be responsible for paying any costs for the remainder of the benefit period.

Coinsurance

If you have a fee-for-service benefit plan, the plan pays a percentage of the treatment cost, and you are responsible for paying the balance. What you pay is called coinsurance, and it is part of your out-of-pocket cost after your deductible is reached.

Reimbursement Levels

Fee-for-service dental plans offer different categories of coverage, each tied to a certain percentage. For example:

Procedures that are diagnostic and preventive (such as cleanings and checkups) are typically covered at the highest percentage (for example, 80 to 100% of the plan’s contract allowance). This gives you a financial incentive to get regular checkups and cleanings to prevent the need for more extensive procedures.

Basic procedures (such as fillings and gum treatment) are usually reimbursed at a slightly lower percentage (for example, 70 to 80%).

Major procedures (such as crowns and fillings) are usually reimbursed at a lower percentage (for example, 50%).

Copayment

If you have a DHMO-type plan, you pay a fixed dollar amount for certain covered services (some services may have no copayment), instead of a percentage. When you enroll, you receive a list of covered services and their copayment amounts. These types of plans usually have no annual deductibles and no maximum amounts for covered benefits.

Pre-Treatment Estimate

If your dental care is extensive and you want to plan ahead for the cost, you can ask your dentist to submit a pre-treatment estimate. This estimate includes an overview of services covered by your dental plan and how coinsurance, deductibles and dollar maximum limits might affect your share of the cost. While it is not a guarantee of payment, a pre-treatment estimate can help you predict your out-of-pocket costs.

Limitations and Exclusions

Dental plans are intended to cover part of your dental expenses, so coverage may not extend to your every dental need. A typical plan has limitations such as the number of times you can receive a cleaning each year. In addition, some procedures may be not be covered under your plan, which is referred to as an exclusion. Review your plan booklet and obtain a pre-treatment estimate to see how any limitations or exclusions would affect your share of the cost.

In addition, a procedure covered under your plan might be limited or denied based on a clinical review by one of our licensed dental consultants. These decisions are based on the standard of care all dentists are required to follow. You may obtain a copy of these guidelines by sending a written request for the following benefit categories:

• Basic benefits
• Crowns, inlays, onlays and cast restoration benefits
• Prosthodontic benefits such as fixed or removable appliances

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