A Simple Guide to Filing Dental Insurance Claims

When you have dental work done, the last thing you want to worry about is paperwork. However, dental insurance is a fact of life for many of us, and filing dental insurance claims goes along with that.

Dental insurance claims have to be filed in order for the insurance provider to pay for your dental work or, in some cases, to get a pre-authorization from the insurance provider to ensure that they will pay for the work to be performed. Some dental providers will fill the paperwork out, but sometimes you will be responsible for submitting your own dental insurance claims.

When this is the case, you may feel lost and confused by the complicated forms. Dental insurance claims look intimidating and require a lot of information.

Luckily, most dental insurance claims are not as complicated as they seem, and some can even be done from the comfort of your own home. Depending on your dental provider and your dental insurance, claims can either be filed by the dental clinic staff or by you, the beneficiary.

How Are Dental Insurance Claims Processed?

While it may not be the same for every situation or company, dental insurance claims are usually processed in a straightforward manner. The first piece of information that's needed is a completed dental insurance form. This is a standard form that your dentist's office will provide upon your first visit.

After the service has been provided, the patient's information should then be passed on to the insurance provider along with the appropriate receipts. Other information that your insurance company may require includes the date of service, the type of service, and a detailed explanation of the procedures performed.

Dental insurance claims will need to be accompanied by the insured person's detailed information so that the insurance company can identify them. This will include any group and member numbers issued by the insurance provider.

The dentist must provide proof of the services that he or she provides in order to be reimbursed by the insurance company. This can be done either by mail or by electronic submittal. The electronic option is becoming increasingly popular since it can drastically reduce the amount of time required for dental insurance claims to be processed and approved.

Don't Over-Think it

If you follow the instructions provided to you by your insurance company, you'll be able to file your dental insurance claims easily. However, if you have any problems you can always contact your insurance provider for help.