---
title: "What Is Alternate benefit clause? Dental Glossary"
description: "An alternate benefit clause lets a plan pay based on the least expensive effective treatment. You can still choose another treatment and pay the difference."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/alternate-benefit-clause
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Insurance and Billing

# Alternate benefit clause

An alternate benefit clause lets a plan pay based on the least expensive effective treatment. You can still choose another treatment and pay the difference.

An alternate benefit clause is a plan provision that bases payment for a service on the least expensive treatment or supplies that are effective. It is also called least expensive alternate treatment, or LEAT. NADP says the provision does not limit treatment options.

For example, a plan might pay for a silver filling even though you and your dentist chose a tooth-colored one. The plan pays its lower amount, and you pay the rest of the fee. The ADA notes that plans may acknowledge the procedure code the dentist submitted but then pay an alternate benefit.

This can change what you owe. A [pre-determination](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pre-authorization-pre-determination) can show it ahead of time. Your [EOB](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/explanation-of-benefits-eob) will show how the plan processed the [claim](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/insurance-claim).

## Related terms

-   [Pre-authorization (pre-determination)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pre-authorization-pre-determination)
-   [Explanation of benefits (EOB)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/explanation-of-benefits-eob)
-   [Insurance claim](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/insurance-claim)
-   [Major services benefit](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/major-services-benefit)
-   [Dental filling](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-filling)

## Sources

1.  [National Association of Dental Plans: Glossary of Dental Insurance Terms](https://www.nadp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GlossaryInsuranceTerms_updated_12_31_20.pdf)
2.  [ADA: Dental Insurance Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/dental-insurance/dental-insurance-resources/dental-insurance-frequently-asked-questions)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)