Dental Letters: Write, Blog and Email Your Way to Success with CD-ROM. American Dental Association

increased over the years, the maximum levels of insurance reimbursement have typically not increased at the rate of inflation since the late 1960s.

      Other plans may want you to choose your dental care from a list of their preferred providers. Choosing your dental care provider from this defined group can affect your levels of reimbursement. Your plan may also tell you that they will only pay benefits for the least expensive alternative treatment for a condition, or deny coverage for conditions that existed before you enrolled in the plan.

      A deductible is the amount of dental expense for you are responsible for before your plan will assume any liability for payment of benefits and could increase your out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, many plans do not provide coverage for all dental procedures. This does not mean that these procedures are not necessary — it just means that your employer has purchased a plan that does not cover the cost of providing coverage for these services. Please discuss all treatment decisions with your dentist.

      I hope this letter gives you a better idea of why your insurance may not pay 100 percent of your dental costs. If you have specific questions regarding your plan, or whether a specific procedure will be covered, contact your insurance provider or the human resources department of your employer to discuss the details. As always, thank you for being a valued patient.

      Sincerely,

      Dentist

      BLOG POST

MANY OF OUR PATIENTS USE DENTAL BENEFIT PLANS, so we would like to explain why your insurance may not cover the entire cost of your dental procedure, or why it covers some dental procedures and not others. Most dental benefit plans are the result of a contract between an insurance company and your employer, union or association. The person who negotiates the terms of your insurance plan makes the final decision on maximum levels of reimbursement through a contract with the insurance company. Other plans may want you to choose your dental care from a list of their preferred providers. Choosing your dental care provider from this defined group can affect your levels of reimbursement. Your plan may also tell you that they will only pay benefits for the least expensive alternative treatment for a condition, or deny coverage for conditions that existed before you enrolled in the plan. A deductible is the amount of dental expense for you are responsible for before your plan will assume any liability for payment of benefits and could increase your out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, many plans do not provide coverage for all dental procedures. This does not mean that these procedures are not necessary — it just means that your employer has purchased a plan that does not cover the cost of providing coverage for these services. If you have questions about your dental benefits plan, we recommend you contact your insurance provider or your human resources department at work.

Forgotten Signature on Dental Claim Form

       Date

      Patient Street Address City, State Zip

      Dear Patient:

      At your last dental appointment, we didn’t get your signature on the dental claim form that will be submitted to your insurance company. Please sign where indicated and return the form in the enclosed envelope or drop it off at our office.

      Be sure to return this form immediately so this account will be paid quickly. Thank you for your cooperation and the opportunity to provide you with the best in dental care.

      Sincerely,

      Dentist and Team

      Enclosure

Treatment Beyond Insurance Maximum

       Date

      Patient Street Address City, State Zip

      Dear Patient:

      Your insurance company has told us that you have gone over your specified limit for dental benefits for this plan year. We have many payment methods, and would like to help you to find one to cover the cost of your dental treatment. Please contact our office at [office number] to work out the details with [financial coordinator ’s name], our financial coordinator.

      If you have any questions about your dental plan coverage, you should contact your employer’s benefits manager or your insurance carrier directly. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

      Sincerely,

      Dentist and Team

Treatment Beyond Insurance Maximum — CareCredit®

       Date

      Patient Street Address City, State Zip

      Dear Patient:

      Your insurance company has told us that you have gone over your specified limit for dental benefits for this plan year, and we would like to help you find a payment method to help cover the cost of your dental treatment.

One payment option is CareCredit®, the credit card just for healthcare.* The enclosed brochure provides you with more complete information. With CareCredit, you’ll enjoy these benefits:

       Flexible financing options

       No teaser rates or introductory rates

       Convenient, low minimum monthly payments

       No annual fees or prepayment penalties

       Credit decision received immediately

      If you have any questions regarding CareCredit patient plans, please call them at 1.800.677.0718 or visit their website at www.carecredit.com. We’ll also be happy to answer your questions if we can, and look forward to seeing you again soon.

      Sincerely,

      Dentist

      Enclosure

* Subject to credit availability/approval

Patient Balance Due After Office Received Insurance Payment

       Date

      Patient Street Address City, State Zip

      Dear Patient:

      Thank you for your recent office visit. Our office has received payment from your insurance company for your dental treatment. However, due to the limitations of your dental plan, only a portion of the bill was covered. The balance of your payment is [amount]. According to the agreement you signed before you began treatment, you are responsible for this remaining balance.

      Please send this amount to our office as soon as possible. If you have any questions, contact your insurance carrier, your human resources department or our office at [office number]. Again, it is our pleasure to provide you with outstanding dental care.

      Sincerely,