Dental Insurance & Payment Options in Vancouver
Plan your care with a clearer understanding of how payment works. Coastal City Dunsmuir Dental Centre offers direct billing to most private insurers, assistance with benefit estimates and interest-free payment plans for treatments with a patient portion over $500.
A clear plan before treatment
We help you understand your recommended care, estimated fees and anticipated patient portion. Your patient portion is the amount remaining after any insurance or CDCP payment.
Bring your plan information
Provide current coverage details, including a second plan if applicable, and tell us about recent claims or changes.
Understand the proposed care
We explain fees and routinely submit predeterminations to help estimate insurance benefits.
Discuss your portion
Confirm direct-billing arrangements, your estimated balance and any agreed payment plan before treatment.
How do dental insurance and direct billing work?
We accept direct payment from most dental insurers. When your plan allows this, we submit the claim and you pay your estimated remaining balance at your appointment.
What if my insurer only reimburses me?
Some plans are non-assignment, meaning the insurer pays benefits only to the policyholder. This is determined by the insurer or plan, rather than our office. In that situation, you pay the office and receive reimbursement from your insurance company according to your coverage.
Why might I owe money if my dentist follows the fee guide?
Your insurer’s payment depends on your plan. You may have an amount to pay because of:
- A coverage percentage that pays only part of an eligible fee.
- A deductible or an annual benefit maximum.
- Limits on how often a service is covered.
- Services or laboratory expenses that are not fully covered.
- A reimbursement schedule based on an older fee guide or a different eligible amount.
A simple insurance example
If a service costs $150 and your plan pays 80% of that same $150 eligible amount, it would pay $120 and your portion would be $30, assuming no deductible, maximum or other restriction applies. If the plan uses a lower eligible amount, your portion would be higher.
Can you check expected benefits before treatment?
We routinely submit treatment predeterminations to insurers to help estimate what your plan may pay. A predetermination is an estimate, not a guarantee of payment. Benefits can change with your remaining coverage, other claims and plan rules before treatment is completed.
Please bring your current insurance information and let us know about changes to your plan.
Do you have two dental insurance plans?
If you have coverage through your own plan and a spouse’s or partner’s plan, coordination of benefits may help reduce your remaining balance. Bring both plans’ details so we can assist with the claims process.
Two plans do not guarantee full coverage. Payment depends on the order of claims, eligible amounts, remaining benefits and each plan’s rules.
Do you offer interest-free dental payment plans?
Yes. We offer interest-free payment plans for treatments where the patient’s portion is over $500. We usually collect approximately one-third of the patient portion initially and agree on a monthly payment amount for the remainder. There is no administrative application fee.
Speak with our team before treatment so we can discuss the proposed payments and schedule. Your patient portion is the amount you are responsible for after any insurance or CDCP payment.
What if I do not have dental insurance?
You are welcome at our practice without insurance. We can explain your estimated fees, discuss treatment priorities and review payment options. Where clinically appropriate, treatment can be staged within reason. We will explain priorities and the implications of delaying recommended care.
Accepted payment methods
We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and debit cards where applicable. Please contact our team if you have a question about payment for an upcoming appointment.
Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
We accept CDCP patients. The plan uses its own established fees and coverage rules, separate from the BCDA suggested fee guide. Patients pay the balance after CDCP payment, which may include a co-payment, fee difference or services not covered.
Ask us about your estimated portion before treatment. For eligibility, coverage and further explanation, visit our dedicated CDCP page.
How are our treatment fees determined?
We follow the current BCDA general practitioner suggested fees where a fee is listed. Procedures marked Independent Consideration are estimated individually, and applicable laboratory charges are separate.
Looking for exam or cleaning prices?
Our BCDA page explains fee codes, laboratory costs and separate examination/X-ray and cleaning examples.
View the BCDA fee guide and dental cost examplesQuestions to ask your insurer
- Does my plan allow payment directly to the dental office?
- Which fee-guide year or eligible fee schedule does my plan use?
- What percentage is covered, and does a deductible apply?
- How much of my annual maximum remains?
- Are there frequency limits or exclusions for the recommended services?
- How does my plan coordinate with a second plan?
Our team can help with claims and estimates. Your insurer makes the final benefit decision.
Further reading: BC Dental Association: dental insurance questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept direct payment from my insurance company?
We accept direct payment from most insurers when your specific plan permits assignment of benefits. Bring your current plan details so we can help identify the arrangements that apply.
Why do I need to pay first with a non-assignment plan?
Some insurers or plans pay benefits only to the policyholder. In that case, you pay the office and your insurer reimburses you according to your coverage. This restriction comes from the insurance plan.
Is an approved predetermination a guarantee of payment?
No. It estimates benefits based on information available at the time. Your final benefits may change with remaining limits, other claims, eligibility or plan rules.
Does having two insurance plans guarantee full coverage?
No. Coordination of benefits may reduce your patient portion, but the outcome depends on both plans’ rules and available benefits.
When are interest-free payment plans available?
We offer plans for treatments where your patient portion is over $500. We usually collect approximately one-third initially and agree on a monthly amount for the remainder. There is no administrative application fee. Please discuss arrangements before treatment.
Can I receive care without dental insurance?
Yes. We welcome uninsured patients and can explain estimated fees and treatment priorities. Where clinically appropriate, treatment can be staged within reason.
Do you accept CDCP patients?
Yes. Patients pay the balance after CDCP payment. This may include an income-based co-payment, a difference between our fee and the CDCP established fee, or services not covered. See our CDCP page for more information.
Questions about your next visit?
Our team can help explain your estimated fees and payment options. Contact Coastal City Dunsmuir Dental Centre before your appointment so we can discuss what you need.
Suite 290, 885 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1N5