Mclevin Dental Office

What does “out of network” mean for dentists?

If your dental provider is considered “out of network,” it means they don’t have a direct billing agreement with your insurance company. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still use them — it just means you may need to pay upfront and submit the claim yourself.

Here’s what to expect:

🏥 In-Network vs. Out-of-Network

In-network dentists have a contract with your insurance provider and offer direct billing.

Out-of-network dentists may still accept your plan, but don’t bill the insurer directly — you’ll pay at the visit and request reimbursement later.

💰 Will You Pay More?

Sometimes, yes. Out-of-network providers may:

  • Charge higher fees than your insurer’s approved rates
  • Not be covered at the same percentage (e.g., 50% instead of 80%)
  • Require you to handle the paperwork

✅ What You Can Do

  • Call your insurer to confirm out-of-network coverage
  • Ask your dentist for a pre-treatment estimate
  • Submit your receipts with the correct claim forms

Still Want to Stay With Your Dentist?

Many patients prefer the quality of care and convenience of a trusted clinic — even if they’re out of network. We’ll help you get the documentation you need to make claiming easy.


👉 Call us to learn more about how we work with your plan — in or out of network.

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