How to Figure Out the Write-Off with Primary and Secondary Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is necessary, as nearly all dental treatments are expensive. Learn about the Coordination of Benefits (COB) that allows you to maximize your advantages and minimize the out-of-pocket expenses through primary and secondary dental insurance coverage. A lot of people find it difficult to understand some of its features such as the write-off between the two; i.e. who pays first, how much and in what way benefits are passed on..For this reason, it is important to figure out the write-off between both the carriers.

Instructions

• 1

  Get the primary and secondary dental insurance details from each company for pre-verification purposes. This will help you to understand several issues before making an appointment with the dentist.

• 2

  Call your primary insurance provider and inform the company about the specific treatment you have received or need to receive.

• 3

  Know how much of the treatment cost is included under the primary insurance provider's plan The company should inform you about the write-off amount.

• 4

  Contact your secondary insurance provider. Inform the company about the treatment you received or intend to receive and the exact amount offered by your primary company along with the write-off figure.

• 5

  Clarify with the secondary insurance provider the kind of coverage provided by your primary company and learn about the secondary company's exact role.

• 6

  Try to keep out-of-pocket costs as low as possible. This does not mean that you compromise on the dental treatment.

• 7

  Seek advice from your dentist. Your dentist may have a relationship with both the insurance companies and will give you appropriate guidance.

• 8

  Understand the contract agreements of the dentists. They usually have an agreement to write off the differences in charges. So ask for discounts on treatments from the dentist whenever possible.