Short answer: Kanaka Creek Family Dental does. We bill most dental insurance plans directly, we bill Sun Life directly for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and we charge according to the BC Dental Fee Guide. But "direct billing" means different things at different offices — and the difference decides whether you pay $40 at the desk or $400. Here is how it works, what you will still owe, and four questions that will tell you exactly how any Maple Ridge clinic handles it.
What "direct billing" actually means
Direct billing — also called assignment of benefits or pay by assignment — means the dental office sends the claim to your insurer and the insurer pays the office. You pay only your share at the appointment: any deductible, your co-payment percentage, and anything your plan does not cover.
The alternative is that you pay the full fee at the desk, the office gives you a receipt or submits the claim on your behalf, and the insurer reimburses you days or weeks later. Both are common. Both are legitimate. But only one of them means you are not out of pocket for the covered portion.
"We submit your claim" is not the same as direct billing
This is where people get caught. Many offices say they "handle the insurance" or "submit electronically." Most do — electronic claim submission is standard across BC. That tells you nothing about who gets paid. An office can submit your claim electronically and still require you to pay the full amount up front while the insurer reimburses you.
If you want to pay only your portion at the appointment, the phrase to ask for is "Do you accept assignment of benefits?" That is the specific thing that keeps the covered amount out of your pocket.
Why some plans cannot be direct-billed — at any office
Direct billing is not only up to the dentist. Some insurance plans are written so that benefits cannot be assigned to a provider; the insurer will only reimburse the plan member. If your plan is non-assignable, no clinic in Maple Ridge can direct-bill it, no matter what their website says.
The office can usually still submit the claim for you so the reimbursement is fast, but you will pay the fee at the appointment. If you are not sure whether your plan allows assignment, your benefits booklet or your insurer's member line will tell you in one call — and so will we, if you bring your card to your first visit.
What you will still pay, even with direct billing
Direct billing does not mean "free." Your portion is set by your plan, not by the dental office:
- Deductible — a fixed amount you pay each year before coverage starts, if your plan has one.
- Co-payment — the percentage your plan leaves to you. Many plans cover 80% of basic care and 50% of major work such as crowns.
- Annual maximum — once your plan has paid its yearly limit, the rest is yours.
- Fee guide gap — insurers reimburse against the BC Dental Fee Guide. If a clinic charges above the guide, the difference is billed to you on top of your co-payment.
That last point is the one most people never hear about. Two offices can both "direct bill," and your bill can still differ by a lot depending on whether they charge at, above, or below the fee guide.
How Kanaka Creek Family Dental handles it
We direct bill most insurance plans. Bring your insurance card or plan details to your first appointment and our admin team submits the claim and receives payment from your insurer. You pay your portion only.
We follow the BC Dental Fee Guide and do not charge above it. That keeps the gap between what your insurer pays and what you owe as small as your plan allows.
We send predeterminations for larger treatment. For a crown, an implant or orthodontics, we submit the plan to your insurer first so you know your exact portion before anything starts. No surprises after the fact.
We bill the Canadian Dental Care Plan directly too. If you are covered by the CDCP, we bill Sun Life for the covered portion. Only oral health providers can be reimbursed by the CDCP — patients cannot submit claims themselves — so direct billing is the only way it works. Our CDCP guide explains eligibility, co-payments by income and what the plan does and does not cover.
Four questions that tell you how any Maple Ridge dentist bills
Ask these before you book. Any good office will answer all four in under a minute.
- "Do you accept assignment of benefits?" — the actual direct-billing question, not "do you take my insurance."
- "Do you charge at the BC Dental Fee Guide, or above it?" — this decides the size of your gap.
- "Will you send a predetermination before major work?" — so you know your portion in advance.
- "What will I pay today?" — a clear number, before treatment, is the sign of an office that has done this properly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kanaka Creek Family Dental do direct billing?
Yes. We bill most dental insurance plans directly and bill Sun Life directly for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Bring your card to your first visit and we confirm your coverage before treatment begins.
Do I have to pay anything at the appointment?
You pay your portion: any deductible, your co-payment percentage and anything your plan does not cover. Because we charge at the BC Dental Fee Guide, there is no extra "above guide" amount added to that.
What if my plan does not allow assignment of benefits?
Then no office can direct-bill it. We will still submit your claim electronically so you are reimbursed quickly, but you will pay the fee at the appointment.
Can you check my coverage before I come in?
Bring your plan details to your first appointment and we verify coverage then. For larger treatment we send a predetermination so you know your exact portion before starting.
Do you direct-bill the CDCP?
Yes. We bill Sun Life directly for the covered portion. Your co-payment, if any, depends on your adjusted family net income.
Book with a Maple Ridge dentist who bills your insurance directly
We are accepting new patients at our Maple Ridge office. See what to bring to your first visit, or book an appointment and bring your insurance card — we will take it from there.