Delta Dental
This has happened to me twice now: I get my EOB in the mail, freak out because it shows I owe several hundred dollars, but when I follow up with my dentist’s office, they tell me insurance has covered everything. The only amount I owe is what I paid during my visit.
If the office isn’t billing me for anything extra, does that mean I’m all set? Is my dentist just great at negotiating with Delta Dental?
It sounds like you’re in a bit of a confusing situation! If your dentist’s office is confirming that your insurance has covered everything and you don’t owe anything extra beyond what you paid at your visit, then you should be all set. It’s possible that the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) you received from Delta Dental is simply reflecting a higher initial charge before any adjustments or agreements between your dentist and the insurance company were applied.
Dentists often have contracts with insurance providers that specify what they will accept as payment for services, which can lead to differences in what is billed versus what is actually owed. This likely means that your dentist is effectively managing the billing process and negotiating with Delta Dental on your behalf.
To ease your worry, you might want to keep a record of your communications with both your dentist and Delta Dental. If it continues to happen, it might be worth contacting Delta Dental directly for clarification on their EOBs and billing process. It’s always good to confirm that everything is squared away to avoid any surprises later on!