Are dental hygienists allowed to treat patients without their insurance information?

Dental hygienists can treat patients without their insurance information, but it is common practice for them to require upfront payment or arrangements for payment to ensure that services are compensated for. This approach allows dental hygienists to provide care to patients who may not have insurance or who choose not to disclose their insurance information. It also helps prevent potential financial issues that could arise from unpaid services.

In situations where a patient does not have insurance or does not want to provide insurance details, a dental hygienist may establish a payment plan or request that the patient pay for services out-of-pocket at the time of treatment. This flexibility allows for continued access to dental hygiene services, facilitating care regardless of a patient's insurance status.

Minor treatments may sometimes be performed without extensive paperwork, but relying solely on the designation of treatment type may not align with professional best practices or ethical considerations. Additionally, requiring a waiver does not eliminate the need for a clear understanding of payment responsibilities. Therefore, the option that allows for treatment while addressing payment arrangements provides a more realistic and practical approach for dental hygienists in these situations.