Well, in the good timing department, my Dental Plan Explanation of Benefits (EOB) arrived this week.

I was right. The amount insurance paid was more than what I was asked to fork over before receiving treatment.

(What am I talking about? Review last week’s Tip HERE.)

Kind of a Pyrrhic victory, in that the savings was small and now my account is probably flagged. I’ll pay ‘em the balance due promptly but that, like my balking at pre-payment, will be the exception, too.

No doubt that’s why many Dental Plans contractually allow Providers to collect co-pays at the time of service; in fact, encourages that practice through a “Provider Portal” where reimbursements specific to each patients’ treatment and plan design are housed

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Health Systems are on a similar path, although seem to be cheating; e.g., demanding a $75 co-pay when you have a no co-pay HSA Plan, or $900 at the ER when your annual Out of Pocket maximum has already been satisfied.

So what’s a savvy Tip reader to do?

The transparency between Insurers and Providers vis a vis those ‘portals’ suggests an answer.

Getting the same information to consumers shouldn’t be like pulling teeth!