EOB vs bill — what's the difference?
Don't confuse them. EOB is informational; bill is what you actually pay.
EOB (Explanation of Benefits) is the document your INSURANCE PLAN sends after processing a claim — showing what was billed, what was paid, what you owe. Bills come from PROVIDERS — they tell you what to actually pay. Reconcile them: provider bill should match the 'Patient Responsibility' column of the EOB. If they don't match, contact the provider's billing office.
Frequently asked questions
I got an EOB but no bill — should I pay?
No. EOBs are informational. Wait for the actual bill from the provider. Some plans show EOBs months before the bill arrives.
I got a bill but no EOB — what's wrong?
Either the claim hasn't been processed by your insurer yet (call your insurer to confirm), or the provider didn't bill insurance (check with the provider). Don't pay until you've confirmed the claim was processed correctly.
More EOB guides
- How to read your Explanation of Benefits (EOB)Your EOB is the statement your plan sends after processing a claim. Here's what
- My EOB shows I owe money — what does it mean?Several reasons you might owe — and some are appealable.
- Secondary insurance EOB — what does it mean?When you have two plans, both send EOBs. Read them in the right order.
- There's a denial on my EOB — what do I do?Diagnose the CARC code, then either appeal or accept based on whether the code i
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