If your wife's dentist in-network? Because if s/he is, then what you're describing is a "contractual write-off" - that's the amount the doctor or dentist has t

If your wife's dentist in-network? Because if s/he is, then what you're describing is a "contractual write-off" - that's the amount the doctor or dentist has to give up because they contractually agreed to a negotiated rate with the insurance company. You may or may not see it on your final bill. I just happened to have paid a bill with that! Here it is, right out of the trash: https://imgur.com/a/NDFSeeF https://imgur.com/a/NDFSeeF These guys wanted a $708 "emergency room" payment for an urgent care visit (it was not an ER! We saw a physician's assistant, not even a real doctor!) plus $157 for a lab test. The insurance gave them $140, the remaining $690 is considered a contractual write-off.