---
title: "What Is Coordination of benefits? Dental Glossary"
description: "Coordination of benefits decides which plan pays first when you have two or more plans covering the same dental claim."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/coordination-of-benefits
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Insurance and Billing

# Coordination of benefits

Coordination of benefits decides which plan pays first when you have two or more plans covering the same dental claim.

Coordination of benefits is a way to figure out who pays first when two or more plans are responsible for the same claim. The plan that pays first is the primary plan. The other is secondary.

NADP gives an example: if a child is on both parents' dental plans, one plan is primary and pays first. The second plan pays after, and its payment often covers part of the balance. State rules differ on how much the second plan pays, so check with your plan.

The two plans together do not pay more than the allowed charges. You still may owe your [deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible) or [coinsurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/coinsurance). Give the dental office both plans when you check in so each [claim](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/insurance-claim) goes to the right place. See dental insurance.

## Related terms

-   [Insurance claim](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/insurance-claim)
-   [Dental insurance](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-insurance)
-   [Deductible](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/deductible)
-   [Assignment of benefits](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/assignment-of-benefits)
-   [Explanation of benefits (EOB)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/explanation-of-benefits-eob)

## Sources

1.  [HealthCare.gov Glossary: Coordination Of Benefits](https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/coordination-of-benefits/)
2.  [National Association of Dental Plans: Glossary of Dental Insurance Terms](https://www.nadp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GlossaryInsuranceTerms_updated_12_31_20.pdf)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)