Understanding your dental benefits and billing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Learn more about what happens after your appointment, how insurance claims are processed, how to read your statement, and what to expect if a balance remains on your account. 

Your Billing Journey 

Visit Completed

 
After your appointment, treatment charges are posted to your account. Any estimated patient portion due at the time of service may be collected.

 
Claim Submitted to Insurance 

As a courtesy, we submit claims directly to your dental insurance carrier. 

Insurance Reviews Your Claim

Your insurance company determines:
 

• Covered services 

• Deductibles 

• Annual maximums 

• Patient responsibility 

• Any non-covered charges
   

Because insurance carriers process claims differently, review times can vary.

Statement Sent

You may receive a statement while insurance is still processing your claim if an estimated patient responsibility exists.

Once insurance completes processing, your account is updated and any remaining balance is reflected on a future statement.

Payment Due

Balances shown on patient statements are due upon receipt unless other arrangements have been made.

Understanding Your Statement

 

The statement above highlights the key sections of your account statement and explains how your balance is calculated.

Your statement includes:

 

• Account information 

• Service activity 

• Charges  

• Account summary 

• Current balance due
   

Reviewing these sections can help you understand how payments, insurance adjustments, and treatment charges affect your account.

Insurance Processing & Patient Responsibility

Insurance estimates are based on the information available at the time of service and are not a guarantee of payment. 

Your insurance carrier makes the final determination regarding:

 

• Coverage eligibility 

• Deductibles 

• Benefit limitations 

• Payment amounts 

• Patient responsibility
   

Once your claim has been processed, your account is adjusted to reflect the actual insurance payment.

As a result, your balance may:
 

• Increase 

• Decrease 

• Be paid in full

How We Bill Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Why did I receive a statement before insurance paid?

Statements may be generated when an estimated patient balance exists. This allows patients to make payments throughout the insurance process instead of waiting until claims are finalized. 

2. What if insurance pays differently than expected?

Once insurance processes your claim, your account is updated automatically. Any additional balance will appear on a future statement. 

3. Why can my balance change?

Insurance payments, claim adjustments, deductibles, annual maximums, and benefit limitations can all affect your final patient responsibility. 

4. If a Balance Remains Unpaid

We make every effort to communicate with patients before collection activity is considered.

Accounts with unpaid balances may progress through the following billing cycle:

 

• Statement #1 

• Statement #2 

• Pre-Collection Notice 

• Final Pre-Collection Notice 

• Collections Review
   

If you have questions about your balance or need payment arrangements, we encourage you to contact our office as early as possible.

Questions About Your Account?

Our billing team is available to help explain statements, insurance processing, balances, and payment options. 

Contact us today and we’ll be happy to assist.