Dental Insurance

Here's a startling fact about dental insurance:

• 1960's average yearly maximum - $1,000
• 2008’s average yearly maximum - $1,000

With adjustments for cost of living and inflation, the dental maximums should now be around $4,500.

What this means to the patient is that although it is beneficial to have dental insurance, it is likely that it will not cover 100% of all treatment fees.

The Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) Myth: It has been the experience of many dentists that oftentimes insurance companies tell their customers (you, the patient) that certain fees an office may be charging are above the “usual, customary, and reasonable" or UCR, rather than tell them – more accurately – that the insurance benefits are too low. UCR is not determined by what typical dental offices commonly charge. No survey is conducted by the insurance carrier to determine the actual fees that dentists in a particular area charge.

UCR is determined by how much your employer has invested for that particular plan. The less your company (or you) has paid for your plan, the lower the amount you will receive in benefits. We are not involved with the insurance company in any way. Each insurance company will make payment according to a UCR fee schedule that has been determined by their standards.

Dental insurance can often be confusing, and we're happy to answer your questions and help you understand how to make the most of your dental benefits. Give us a call for more information.