Dental Insurance Articles

What To Ask Your Insurance Provider About Insurance Forms

2010-11-10

Whether you are an individual looking for dental insurance or you are inquiring about a dental plan for family members, there are several questions that you should remember to ask your insurance provider before you purchase a policy or make a claim. There are different insurance forms that must be completed before benefits can be received and it is important to fill them out correctly so that your reimbursement payment is not delayed.

If you do not have the correct information, then the forms could be sent back to you to redo. When you talk to your insurance provider, request your plan number and policy number. This information is pertinent when you submit any insurance forms for reimbursement or coverage. Without these numbers, the insurance company cannot process your claim.

You should also ask your insurance company which services are covered and which ones are excluded. This will eliminate frustration and waiting time. If you submit a claim for services that are not covered, then your claim will be denied and your forms will be returned. Your dentist will still require the bill to be paid, and this delay can result in service fees or late charges that you will be responsible for.

Most insurance companies will require the insured to pay a deductible or co-pay amounts for dental services, depending on the dental insurance plan that you have purchased. If this is the case, this must be taken into consideration when submitting forms. Your insurance provider can explain to you exactly what the co-pay amounts and deductibles are for certain services. In some cases, there may be different amounts for different procedures.

Depending on the dental service that is being received, your insurance provider may require specific forms. Often, these forms can be obtained by mail from the insurance company, from an employer if you have group insurance, or they can be printed online. Many insurance companies have user friendly websites where this information can be obtained.

You should also check if your insurance company requires original receipts or if photocopies will suffice. Each insurance company follows their own rules and if yours requires originals and you submit photocopies instead, then you run the risk of having your forms returned back to you. Again, this will delay your claim and you will not be reimbursed in a timely manner.

Dental insurance is one of the most important health insurance add on coverages that you can purchase for yourself or your family. Even basic services, such as check ups and cleanings can be costly and often require you to fill out forms to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses.