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Upper East Side • Manhattan

Insurance & Payment Information

Bright Healthy Smiles is a fee-for-service pediatric dental and orthodontic practice. This means we do not accept dental insurance and are not in-network with any insurance plan — payment is due directly from you at the time of care. Many of our families do still have dental insurance, though, and we're glad to help by submitting claims to your carrier on your behalf so you can seek reimbursement for out-of-network care.

Without being limited by insurance restrictions, we can recommend the treatment that we genuinely believe is right for your child—not simply what an insurance plan will approve or cover. This allows us to focus on prevention, thoughtful treatment planning, and providing the highest level of care for every child and family. Our goal is simple: to always make decisions based on what is best for your child.

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Flexible Options for Your Family

Transparent Financial Information

Bright Healthy Smiles does not accept dental insurance directly, and we are not in-network with any plan. Payment is due at the time of service, which allows us to focus on personalized treatment recommendations rather than what an insurance network allows. As a courtesy, we'll submit a claim to your insurance company on your behalf so you can seek reimbursement if your plan includes out-of-network benefits.

01

Fee-for-Service Care

We don't accept dental insurance, and payment is due in full at the time services are rendered. This lets us recommend the treatment that's right for your child, without limits set by an insurance network.

02

Out-of-Network Claim Support

Even though we're not in-network with any insurance plan, we submit your claim electronically as a courtesy so you can seek reimbursement directly from your carrier.

03

Clear Expectations

We reserve dedicated appointment time for your child and let you know in advance about anything that could affect your visit or your bill.

What to Expect

How Out-of-Network Reimbursement Works

We're not in-network with any insurance plan, but here's how we help you seek reimbursement for your child's care.

Step 1

Understand Your Out-of-Network Benefits

Before your appointment, check with your insurance provider about your out-of-network dental benefits, including deductibles and reimbursement percentages.

Step 2

Receive Personalized Care

We recommend treatment based on what's right for your child — never on what an insurance plan will approve, since we don't answer to any insurance network.

Step 3

Payment at Time of Service

Payment is due in full at your visit. Because we're not in-network with your insurance, we don't bill your carrier directly or wait on approval before treating your child.

Step 4

We Submit Your Claim For You

As a courtesy, we submit your claim electronically to your insurance carrier so you can be reimbursed directly. Most families see reimbursement within about 30 days, depending on their plan.

We're Here to Help

We'll Help You File for Reimbursement

Bright Healthy Smiles does not accept insurance and is not in-network with any dental plan — including Cigna, Delta Dental, or any other carrier. That said, many of our families do have dental insurance and successfully receive reimbursement for out-of-network care.

As a courtesy, our team submits claims electronically on your behalf and can provide any documentation your carrier requires. Because coverage varies significantly by plan, we recommend contacting your insurance carrier directly to confirm your specific out-of-network benefits before your visit.

Don't Count Yourself Out

Out-of-Network Doesn't Mean No Reimbursement

Being an out-of-network provider doesn't mean your insurance can't help. Many dental plans include out-of-network benefits, and plenty of our families receive meaningful reimbursement for the care their child receives with us.

Choosing a fee-for-service practice like Bright Healthy Smiles means your treatment plan is based entirely on what's best for your child — never on what an insurance network will approve. We're happy to help you understand what documentation your plan requires and support you through the claim submission process.

Fee-for-Service Care

Bright Healthy Smiles is a fee-for-service practice, meaning we don't accept insurance directly and aren't in-network with any dental plan. This lets us focus entirely on individualized care, thoughtful scheduling, and the highest level of attention for your child.

Dentist high-fiving a smiling girl in the dental chair with a pediatric dental team Upper East Side. New patient pediatric dentist Manhattan — welcoming first visit at Bright Healthy Smiles Upper East Side NYC.
Toddler in a heart-print dress holding a phone handset at the reception desk
Make the Most of Your Benefits

Using Your FSA & HSA Funds

FSA and HSA funds work differently from dental insurance — they're your own pre-tax healthcare dollars, not an insurance benefit, so they can typically be used for eligible pediatric dental and orthodontic care regardless of network status.

Our office can provide detailed receipts and documentation for your records whenever needed.

Helpful Insurance Planning Tips

  • Check with your FSA/HSA administrator to confirm which services qualify.
  • Ask our team for a cost estimate ahead of time so you can plan your spending.
  • FSA and HSA funds can typically be used for preventive, restorative, and orthodontic treatment.
  • Our team is always available to answer financial questions before your visit.
Payment Options That Work For You

Payment Methods & Financial Policies

We accept all major payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit and ATM cards, cash, and FSA/HSA cards. Because we're a fee-for-service practice, payment is due directly from you at the time of service — we don't bill insurance companies for payment, though we're always happy to submit a claim so you can seek reimbursement.

Our Commitment to Financial Transparency

We respect the trust families place in our practice, which is why we communicate financial expectations clearly, before treatment ever begins. At your visit, we'll walk through our recommendations, the associated fees, and what to expect if you plan to seek reimbursement through your insurance.

Payment is due in full at the time of service, since we do not accept insurance directly. As a courtesy, we'll submit your claim electronically so you can pursue reimbursement — though because plans vary so much, we can't guarantee what your carrier will reimburse.

Appointment Reservations

  • Appointments are reserved specifically for your child
  • At least 48-hour notice required if an appointment must be changed
  • Missed appointments with less than 48-hour notice may be subject to a fee
  • The parent accompanying the child for the initial visit is the responsible party for services
  • Our team is always available to answer financial policy questions before your visit

For more on navigating dental insurance and maximizing your benefits, visit the American Dental Association.

Visa

We gladly accept Visa credit cards for payment of pediatric dental and orthodontic services.

Mastercard

Mastercard is accepted for all services provided at Bright Healthy Smiles.

American Express

Families may use American Express for treatment, preventive care, and other services.

Discover

Discover cards are accepted for payment at the time services are rendered.

Debit & ATM Cards

Most debit and ATM bank cards are accepted for convenient payment.

Cash, FSA & HSA Cards

We accept cash, Flexible Spending Account cards, and Health Savings Account cards for eligible healthcare expenses.

Dentist high-fiving a smiling girl in the dental chair with a pediatric dental team Upper East Side. New patient pediatric dentist Manhattan — welcoming first visit at Bright Healthy Smiles Upper East Side NYC.
Why Choose Us

Our Commitment to Financial Transparency

We respect the trust families place in our practice and believe financial expectations should always be communicated clearly. Before treatment begins, we discuss recommendations, anticipated fees, and available reimbursement considerations so families can make informed decisions with confidence.

Payment is due at the time services are rendered. As a courtesy, we submit insurance claims electronically for direct reimbursement whenever applicable. Because insurance plans vary significantly, reimbursement amounts cannot be guaranteed by our office.

Appointment Reservations

  • Dedicated appointment time is reserved specifically for your child.
  • We respectfully request at least 48 hours notice if an appointment must be changed.
  • Missed appointments or cancellations with less than 48 hours notice may be subject to a fee.
  • The parent or guardian accompanying the child for the initial visit is the responsible party for services rendered.
  • Our team is always available to answer questions regarding financial policies before your visit.

Questions About Our Fee-for-Service Model or Payment Options?

We're happy to walk you through how our fee-for-service approach works, what to expect with out-of-network reimbursement, and the payment options available before your child's appointment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends every child have their first dental visit by their first birthday.

No — we're a fee-for-service practice and are not in-network with any dental insurance plan. However, as a courtesy, we electronically submit claims to most insurance carriers on your behalf, and many families do receive reimbursement through their out-of-network dental benefits.

Yes. We accept FSA and HSA cards for eligible dental and orthodontic services. We provide detailed receipts for reimbursement documentation.

After your child's appointment, our team submits the claim to your insurance carrier electronically. Reimbursement goes directly to you, typically within 30–45 days. We provide any documentation your carrier requires.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Debit & ATM Cards, Cash, FSA, and HSA Cards. Payment is due at the time services are rendered.