Short Description
The agreed-upon rate that an in-network dentist accepts as full payment for a service from an insurance provider.
Long Description
A contracted fee is a discounted rate that an in-network dentist has agreed to accept as payment in full for services covered by a dental insurance plan. This fee is lower than the dentist’s standard charge and helps reduce out-of-pocket costs for insured patients.
For example, if a dentist normally charges $200 for a filling but has a contracted fee of $150 with an insurance company, the patient and insurer will only be billed for the $150 rate. The patient is still responsible for any coinsurance or copay that applies.
Patients who visit out-of-network providers may have to pay the full standard charge instead of the discounted contracted fee, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs. Checking if a dentist is in-network can help avoid unexpected expenses.