Direct billing, also called assignment of benefits, is a payment arrangement where the health care provider submits your insurance claim directly to the insurer and receives payment from them. You pay only your portion — the deductible, co-pay, or co-insurance — at the time of service rather than paying the full amount and waiting for reimbursement. Direct billing is standard at most Canadian pharmacies, where the pharmacist swipes your benefit card and adjudicates the claim in real time. It is increasingly available at dental offices, optometry clinics, and some paramedical practices. Whether direct billing is available depends on the provider's setup, the insurer's network, and your plan type. Not all providers offer direct billing, and not all plans support it for every benefit category.