Why do I have to pay when I have insurance?

What is UCR?

Usual, customary, and reasonable charges (UCR) are the maximum amounts that will be covered by your insurance plan. Your plan pays a predetermined portion of the dentist’s fee or the plan’s “customary” or “reasonable” fee. The common misconception is that if your plan says that your dentist’s fees are above UCR, then your dentist is overcharging you. Fee reimbursement for insurance can vary from zip code to zip code within the same city! Why would it cost more to do the same procedure across town? In fact there are no regulations as to how insurance companies determine reimbursement levels, resulting in wide fluctuation.