Why does dental insurance cover so little?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (a payment to cover the cost of a loss) at all. It is actually a money benefit typically provided by an employer to help their employees pay for routine dental treatment. The employer buys a plan based on the amount of the benefit and how much the premium costs per month. Most benefit plans are only designed to cover a portion of the total cost. If you are having major dental work, it may seem like your insurance isn’t covering much of your treatment.
Nebraska Family Dentistry works with many insurance companies some of which include Aetna, Ameritas, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Delta Dental, United Healthcare, and many more! If you have questions about your dental insurance provider and its coverage, give us a call. We would be happy to help you.
But my plan says that my exams and certain procedures are covered at 100%.
That 100% is usually what the insurance carrier allows as payment toward the procedure, not what your dentist or any other dentist in your area may actually charge. For example, say your dentist charges $80.00 for an examination, not including x‐rays. Your carrier may allow $60.00 as the 100% payment for that examination, leaving $20.00 for you to pay.
How does my insurance carrier come up with its allowed payments?
Many carriers refer to their allowed payments as UCR, which stands for usual, customary and reasonable. However, usual, customary and reasonable does not really mean exactly what it seems to mean. UCR is a listing of payments for all covered procedures negotiated by your employer and the insurance company. This listing is related to the cost of the premiums and where you are located in you city and state. Your employer has likely selected and allowed payment or UCR payment that corresponds to the premium cost they desire. UCR payments could be accurately called negotiated payments.
Since most payments are negotiated, does this mean that there is always a balance left for me to pay?
Typically there is always a portion that is not covered by your benefit plan.
I received an Explanation of Benefits from my insurance carrier that says my dental bill exceeded the usual and customary. Does this mean that my dentist is charging more than he or she should?
It does not mean that your dentist is charging too much. Remember that what insurance carriers call UCR is really just what your employer and the insurance company have negotiated as the amount that will be paid toward your treatment. It is usually much less than what any dentist in your area might actually charge for a dental procedure.
Why is there a dental insurance yearly maximum?
Maximums limit what a carrier has to cover each year. Amazingly, despite the fact that costs have steadily increased, annual maximum levels for dental care have not changed since the 1960’s.
Why do some benefit plans require me to select a dentist from a list?
Usually a dentist on the list has agreed to a contract with the benefit plan. These contracts have restrictions and requirements. If you choose a dentist on the list, you typically pay less toward your dental care than if you choose a dentist that is not on the list. Do know, that if your dentist is not on the list, this does not mean that something is wrong with the dentist or the office.
Why does my dental plan only pay toward the least expensive alternative treatment?
To save money, your dentist may recommend a crown, with your insurance only offering a benefit toward a filling. This does not mean you have to accept the filling. The good news is that some benefit will be paid: the bad news is that more of the fee will be your responsibility. Remember, however, that your dentist’s responsibility is to prescribe what is best for you. The insurance carrier’s responsibility is to control payments.
Why won’t my insurance pay anything toward some procedures, such as x‐rays, cleanings and gum treatments?
Your plan contract specifies exactly how many procedures, and what kind, it will consider annually. It limits the number of x‐rays, cleanings, etc. covered because these are the types of treatments that many people have frequently.
What should I do if my insurance does not pay for treatment I think should be covered?
Because your insurance coverage is between you, your employer and the insurance carrier, your dentist does not have the power to make your plan pay. If your insurance does not pay, you are responsible for the total cost of treatment. Sometimes a plan may pay if patients send in a claim for themselves. The Employee Benefits Coordinator at your place of employment may be able to help. Patients may also lodge complaints with the state Insurance Commission.
What if my spouse has insurance?
Dental plans used to work together. However, many times you will get little or no coverage from a second plan. Consider any extra benefit an unexpected gift.
Why can you only estimate my coverage?
Dentists deal with thousands of plans and hundreds of types of treatments each year. Most carriers refuse to release the details of their plans. They change policies and reimbursements constantly and with our notice.
Remember, it is a mistake to let benefits be your sole consideration when you determine what you want to do about your dental condition.
Dental insurance will not cover all of your necessary dental treatment
Some patients may need more extensive dental treatment for optimum oral health. Please remember that unfortunately, dental insurance does LIMIT how much they will pay towards dental treatment and will NEVER cover all extensive dental treatment at 100%. Your dental coverage is not based on what your specific dental needs are or what is being recommended by your dentist. It is based on how much your employer pays into the plan.
How can we help to make dentistry more affordable?
The office will provide and send claims to your insurance carrier. Dental insurance is intended to cover some, but not the full cost of your dental treatment. Your insurance includes coinsurance provisions, deductibles, and certain other expenses that must be paid by you at the time of service. Based on the information from your insurance we will give you an ESTIMATE of the total cost for the services, however, this is an estimate only. If there is a remaining balance after your insurance pays, this will become your responsibility.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Pay As You Go – Pay for your estimated copay in full that day with cash, check, or credit card.
- 90 day Payment Plan for balances under $500 – A personal credit card is kept on file and the first payment is required at the time of service. This excludes treatment that requires lab work.
- 6-12 months 0% financing with a Healthcare Lending Company – Apply for 0% interest on balances over $200 with CareCredit® or Ally® Lending.
Please let us know if you would like a comprehensive treatment plan that would include the number of appointments along with an estimate for each appointment.
Affordable Dental Care
Make easy, affordable payments for your procedure with dental payment plans we offer.
Schedule Day or Night
Schedule your dental appointment at anytime of the day or night with our online scheduling.
We have 7 Locations in Lincoln, NE!
- Lincoln Family Dentistry – Central Lincoln
- South Lincoln Family Dentistry – South Lincoln
- Northeast Lincoln Family Dentistry – Northeast Lincoln
- Preserve Family Dentistry – East Lincoln
- Coddington Dental – West Lincoln
- NorthStar Dental – North Lincoln
- SouthPointe Dental – Southwest Lincoln
- Lincoln Dental Plans – Affordable Dental Options
Nebraska Family Dentistry has multiple Lincoln Dental Clinics!
Choose a “dentist near me” location that is convenient for you.