Demystifying Insurance: Part 1

Posted on 3/18/2024 by Team at East Portland Dentistry

An old woman holding a tab with insurance information while a hygienist explains it to her at East Portland Dentistry

Part One: Basic Terminology

UCR: The maximum allowable amount that will be covered by the plan. UCR stands for”usual,” “customary,” and “reasonable.”

Annual Maximums: The largest amount that a dental plan will pay annually.

Preferred Providers: Dentists who have a contract with the insurance plan.

Pre-existing Conditions: Conditions that existed prior to enrollment in a dental plan.

Coordination of Benefits (COB): Term that applies to patients who are covered by more than one dental plan.

Plan Frequency Limitations: The number of times that a dental plan will pay for a particular treatment.

Not Dentally Necessary: Term that designates procedures that an insurance plan considers not medically necessary and thus not covered.

Bundling: The insurance company combines two different dental procedures into one procedure.

Downcoding: The insurance company adjusts the procedure code to one less complex or costly than your dentist has reported.

Least Expensive Alternative Treatment (LEAT): A clause that stipulates that insurance will only pay for the least expensive way to treat a condition.

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(971) 484-1652

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Monday – 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday – 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday – 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Thursday – 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday – 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Learn about East Portland Dentistry in Portland, OR. Our dedicated team provides compassionate, high-quality dental care for the whole family.
East Portland Dentistry, 9 NE 120th Ave, Portland, OR 97220 ^ (971) 484-1652 ^ eastportlanddentistry.com ^ 6/6/2025 ^ Page Phrases: dentist Portland OR ^