Going to the dentist can be an expensive endeavor, especially for those without dental insurance While skipping out on routine cleanings to save money may seem harmless in the short term, neglecting your dental health can lead to serious oral health issues and higher costs down the road.
But what if you did go to the dentist and then struggled to pay the bill? Dental bills can catch patients off guard, leaving them wondering what will happen if they just don’t pay
As someone who has worked in the dental billing industry, I want to provide clarity on the repercussions of not paying your dental bills. There are consequences patients should be aware of if they fail to pay for dental services received.
Dentist Collections Efforts
First, if you don’t pay your dental bill, the office will start contacting you to collect payment. This typically begins with phone calls and mailed statements from the dental office requesting payment.
If initial requests are ignored, the dental office may turn your account over to a collections agency. The collections agency will continue attempts to collect by calling you and sending notices demanding payment.
If you don’t pay an account that is in collections, it can hurt your credit score. If debts aren’t paid, collection efforts will move from letters and calls to possible legal action.
Credit Score Impacts
One of the most common consequences of not paying your dental bill is damage to your credit score. An unpaid dental bill that gets sent to collections can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years.
This creates a derogatory mark on your credit that drags down your score. A lower credit score makes it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, mortgages, rental applications, and more.
Even if the dentist office doesn’t use collections, they may still send your unpaid bills to credit bureaus if you don’t pay them. A single unpaid bill lowering your score by as much as 100 points.
Limited Treatment Options
If you don’t pay a dental bill with one provider, it can limit your ability to seek future dental treatment. The unpaid balance will be visible to other dentists you may want to see for care.
Many dental offices won’t make appointments or do non-emergency work for new patients who still owe money to other dentists. They want to minimize risk of repeat non-payment issues.
You may end up restricted to paying upfront for dental services instead of billing options if you have unpaid balances on your record. For expensive treatments like crowns or implants, prepayment can be cost prohibitive.
Potential Legal Action
For very large, unresolved dental debts, legal action is possible. The dental office may pursue legal judgement to garnish wages or place liens on property in order to collect on unpaid bills.
Lawsuits and property liens also create public records that can harm credit scores and make it difficult to get approved for future loans or lines of credit.
Disruption of Continuity of Care
When dental bills go unpaid, it severs your relationship with that dentist’s office. You may no longer be able to continue seeing the dentist who knows your oral health history and treatment needs best.
This disruption in care makes it hard to properly monitor dental work done previously or coordinate complex treatments requiring multiple visits. Moving between offices also means repeating expensive x-rays or scans.
Increased Stress and Anxiety
Being unable to pay a medical bill is stressful enough on its own. The additional stress of collections harassment by phone and mail only makes the situation worse. The mental burden of financial uncertainty and credit damage can negatively impact your overall well-being.
Strategies for Avoiding Non-Payment
The above consequences illustrate why it’s critical to take steps to pay your dental bills responsibly. Here are some tips to avoid ending up with a bill you can’t pay:
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Discuss payment expectations upfront – Before any treatment, talk with your dentist about the costs you can expect to pay based on your insurance coverage and financial situation.
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Use payment plans – Many dental offices offer monthly payment plans to break costs into smaller, more manageable amounts over time.
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Apply for financial assistance – If you’re struggling to afford dental treatment, ask your provider about financial hardship programs or sliding scale discounts they may offer.
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Use dental savings plans – Discount dental savings plans can save you 10-60% on dental services to keep costs in check.
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Prioritize dental insurance – Maintaining dental insurance, even basic coverage, can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
What To Do If You Can’t Pay Your Dental Bill
If you do end up with a dental bill you’re unable to pay, don’t just ignore it. Contact your dental office promptly to explain your financial hardship and discuss potential payment arrangements or assistance programs that could help resolve your balance.
Honest, upfront communication gives the dental office a chance to work with you before escalating collections activities that can hurt your credit and finances. Most dentists aim to help patients troubleshoot solutions when possible.
Seeking help right away shows good faith effort to pay what you can. This goes a long way in maintaining a positive relationship with your dentist compared to dodging bills and calls.
Key Takeaways on Dental Bill Payments
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Unpaid dental bills often get sent to collections, damaging credit scores.
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Outstanding dental balances can restrict you from getting future dental treatment.
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Legal action, while rare, is possible for large unresolved dental debts.
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Disrupting continuity of dentist relationships hurts long-term oral health.
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Financial stress from unpaid medical bills takes a toll on well-being.
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Discuss costs before treatment and utilize payment plans to prevent non-payment.
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If struggling to pay, speak with your dentist right away to find solutions.
With some planning and open communication, you can reduce risk of owing dental bills you can’t pay. But if you do end up with unaffordable charges, act quickly to mitigate the consequences. And remember – avoiding the dentist to save money often leads to more expensive problems and healthcare costs over time. Your dental health is an investment in your overall health and wellness.
Common Reasons Patients Refuse Paying Their Bills
Patients have bills, life stressors, and tight finances. Helping your team understand why patients may refuse to pay dental bills reminds them that were all human. A few reasons why people may not want to fulfill their payments include the following:
- The patient has dental insurance and assumed it would cover all or more of the charges.
- The patient paid for some services in-office but received an additional bill by mail.
- The patient did not know how much they would need to pay before the services.
- The patient believes the services were not worth how much they cost.
The above scenarios show that patients often refuse payments over a lack of clarity. No one wants to pay for something they werenât expecting. Providing transparency can alleviate many of these issues.â¯
Create a Script for Overdue Payments
Calling someone to discuss overdue payments is nerve-wracking. We recommend developing a script so your team can confidently relay the message. You want to sound friendly, personable, and stern.
You cannot anticipate how patients will respond, so try to consider potential questions ahead of time. Preparing answers to common questions will make the conversation easier for your team.â¯
Regardless of how the patient responds, remember to stay calm and professional. You should have an escalation process for complex scenarios.â¯
Documentation is key in proving that your office took the required steps. You should keep track of paperwork for all provided services, fulfilled payments, and communication. Any time you speak with a patient over the phone or in person about payments, keep notes of the conversation for future reference.⯠By using Follow Ups, you can quickly keep track of when you talk to a patient about an overdue payment.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Medical Bills?
FAQ
What if I don’t pay my dentist bill?
What happens when a dental bill goes to collections?
Are dental bills negotiable?
Why do some dentists make you pay upfront?
What happens if I can’t pay my dental Bill?
If you can’t pay your dental bill by the time the dentist office sends it to a collections agency, you should be able to come to a settlement agreement. Collections agencies don’t typically expect to get the full payment and will often take a fraction of what you owe. Don’t be afraid to negotiate to come to an amount you are able to pay.
What happens if you don’t have dental insurance?
Millions of people in the United States have no dental coverage. Most health insurance plans don’t include dental care, leaving some middle- and low-income individuals without this important service. If you end up rushing to your local dentist with an emergency, you could walk away with a hefty bill that you just can’t afford.
What happens if I don’t pay my medical bill?
You can take steps to make sure that the medical bill is correctly calculated and that you get any available financial or necessary legal help. If you do nothing and don’t pay, you could be facing late fees and interest, debt collection, lawsuits, garnishments, and lower credit scores. Do you owe the bill? First, make sure that you owe the bill.
What should I do if a patient refuses to pay a bill?
Send the bill to collections and must pause collections if the process has already begun. Threaten to send the bill to collections or take any retaliatory action against the patient for disputing the charges. Collect late fees on unpaid amounts. Providing patients with detailed treatment plans is always good practice.