Page 10 - D13906 - LBMAO - Reporter Mag_web

Insurance UPDATE

rovided by
morneau shepell

controlling rising dental costs

he escalating cost of dental benefits should 12 months. Reducing your dental care costs saves
Tbe of concern to everyone. Employers are everyone money - including you. It lowers the overall
looking more closely than ever at the cost of these cost of your group insurance program and when that
benefits and, when costs go up, they acti ely seek happens we all benefit
means of controlling them. Often this results in the Also, if the cost of any proposed treatment is
implementation of higher deductibles or a reduced expected to exceed $300, it’s always a good idea to
percentage of reimbursement for eligible services. ask your dentist to submit a predetermination before
The part of the costs not covered by the group the service is performed. By providing the carrier
insurance plan is left to the insured employee to pay the description of the procedures to be performed
out-of-pocket. prior, you will be advised of the cost covered under
Efforts to control costs should really begin with the your plan and any out-of-pocket differences. The
insured employee. Employers can limit carrier reserves the right to make a determination
" he fewer claims what the dental plan will cover, but of benefits payable, taking into account alternate
only the employee can control what is procedures, services or course of treatment based on
made against the actually submitted. The fewer claims accepted standards of medical/dental practice.
plan, the lower the made against the plan, the lower The LBMAO Program offers groups of all sizes
the cost of premiums will be. Today, many different coverage options, allowing you to
cost of premiums employees must become informed tailor your benefits to your e ployees needs ll

will be." consumers. benefit plans include an ployee ssistance
As an example, many adults can Program (EAP) serviced by Shepell·fgi and there are no
reduce the frequency of their dental minimum size requirements necessary for coverage
check-ups, x-rays, and cleanings without affecting the under the LBMAO Program.
quality of care they receive. If you have healthy teeth or assistance in co paring benefit plans or
and gums and practice good oral hygiene, you may to obtain a no obligation, free quote, please call
be able to do this as well. Talk to your dentist about Morneau Shepell at 1-866-307-1403.
the possibility of extending the time between check-
ups and cleanings from every 6 or 9 months to every Membership has its privileges!

10 LBMAO Reporter - September-October 2018 www.lbmao.on.ca