Dental Corner

UNDERSTANDING YOUR DENTAL BENEFITS PLAN

Q. How does my dental benefits plan work?

A. You should know how your dental plan is designed since this affects your out-of-pocket expenses. Some of the most common plan designs are as follows:

Direct Reimbursement programs reimburse patients a percentage of the dollar amount spent on dental care, or pay a flat fee based on minimum bills.

Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) pays a set percentage of the dentist's fee. There is, however, a lack of regulation over what is a customary fee.

A Schedule of Allowance program lists covered services with an assigned dollar amount. You pay the difference.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) programs are plans under which contracting dentists agree to discount their fees as an incentive for you to select their practices.

Remember that treatment decisions must be made by you and your dentist. Your dental benefit coverage should be considered, but it should not be the deciding factor when you need treatment.