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Why do I need to pay dental treatment invoices myself before reimbursement?

This article explains why you should pay your dentist directly and how Feather’s reimbursement process works. It also covers payment deadlines, invoice reference numbers, and when to submit your claim.

Jamie avatar
Written by Jamie
Updated yesterday

It’s a common assumption that insurance will pay the dentist directly—but that’s not how Feather’s dental insurance works. As the patient, you’re responsible for settling your dental bill yourself. Once you’ve paid, we’ll reimburse you based on what’s covered by your dental plan. Reimbursement typically takes between 3 to 6 weeks, so it’s important to note that this is a separate process—we can’t guarantee the funds will arrive before your invoice is due.

Why do I need to pay dental treatment invoices myself?

You should always pay your dental invoice directly to the dentist as soon as you receive it—unless you’ve agreed on something different, like a payment plan. This helps you avoid late payment warnings or fees and ensures the bill is settled on time.

What happens if I wait to pay my dental invoice?

Most dental invoices need to be paid within 14 days. If you wait too long, your dentist may send a payment reminder (Mahnung), which can include additional fees.

Why is the invoice reference number important when paying my dentist?

Every dental invoice includes a reference number. This helps your dentist match your payment to the correct bill. If you leave it out when making a bank transfer, your payment might not be processed properly.

Why should I not provide my dentist’s bank account details for reimbursement?

Feather doesn’t pay your dentist. Reimbursements are only made directly to you, the policyholder, using your personal IBAN. Providing your dentist’s bank details can lead to delays, missed reimbursements, or added fees.

How do I submit a reimbursement claim to Feather for dental treatment?

Submit your claim through your Feather account. Make sure to include your personal IBAN so the reimbursement is paid directly to you. You’ll also need to upload the final itemized invoice as proof that the treatment was completed. We don’t require proof of payment, so you can submit your claim as soon as you receive the invoice.

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