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Emergency

Dentist additional costs: when you do not have to pay them

At the dentist there are statutory-fund services and private additional services. If the dentist wants to charge for something beyond the statutory-fund service, he has to inform you beforehand and, for on-demand services, conclude a written agreement. Without this information, a surprising additional-cost invoice is attackable.

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Your chances of getting your money back

About additional costs that go beyond the statutory-fund service, the dentist has to inform you beforehand; for pure on-demand services a written agreement before the treatment is required. If it is missing, the claim is attackable.
For dentures there is a treatment and cost plan (HKP) that the fund checks in advance. It shows you the fixed subsidy and your own share, compare it with the later invoice.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the plan / agreement

    Was there a treatment and cost plan or a written additional-cost agreement before the treatment? Compare with the invoice.

  2. 2

    2. Question the information

    Were you clearly informed about additional costs and cheaper statutory-fund alternatives? Without information, the claim is weaker.

  3. 3

    3. Challenge the invoice

    Challenge additional costs that were not agreed or not explained in writing and demand a comprehensible breakdown.

  4. 4

    4. Involve the fund

    For dentures, the health fund can check the billing and the fixed subsidy. Get support there.

How to spot the scam

  • Additional costs appear only on the invoice, without a prior agreement.
  • You were not pointed to a sufficient statutory-fund alternative.
  • The invoice deviates significantly from the treatment and cost plan.

Frequently asked questions

Do I always have to pay additional costs at the dentist?

Only if you were informed about them beforehand and, for pure on-demand services, a written agreement was concluded before the treatment. Surprising additional costs without prior information are attackable.

What is the treatment and cost plan?

For dentures the dentist draws up a treatment and cost plan (HKP) that the health fund checks in advance. It states the fund's fixed subsidy and your own share. Compare it with the later invoice.

How do I challenge an excessive invoice?

Challenge it in writing, demand a comprehensible breakdown and compare it with the plan and agreement. For dentures the health fund can also check the billing. Do not pay disputed additional costs prematurely.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.