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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://handbook.daydream.dental/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

💬 Covered in Your Kickoff Call
We complete this step together during onboarding. This page will serve as your reference.

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What is EFT, ERA, and ACH?

  • ERA (Electronic Remittance Advice) is a digital version of an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) that contains payment details and claim information
  • EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) is the general term for electronic direct deposits from insurance carriers
  • ACH (Automated Clearing House) is the specific network used for EFT transfers in the United States—it’s the method carriers use to deposit payments directly into your bank account
When you enroll in EFT & ERA, the ERA (payment details) arrives electronically alongside the EFT/ACH (actual deposit). Because ERA and EFT arrive together electronically, DayDream can automatically post payments, flag denials, and reconcile faster and more efficiently—no manual upload or scanning required.

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Why DayDream Recommends EFT & ERA Enrollment

DayDream recommends enrolling in EFT & ERA because it transforms how your practice receives and processes insurance payments. Instead of waiting for paper checks and EOBs in the mail, payments arrive electronically with complete remittance details attached. The result: Your team spends less time on paperwork, payments post faster, and your revenue cycle becomes more transparent and efficient.

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How DayDream Handles Your Enrollment

DayDream’s Enrollment Specialists handle your EFT & ERA enrollment—free of charge. Here’s how we do it:

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Starting with Your Top Payers

Your Enrollment Specialist will:
  1. Analyze your payment history to identify your top-paying insurance carriers
  2. Prioritize enrollment starting with these high-volume payers
  3. Complete all enrollment paperwork and submit applications on your behalf
  4. Track each enrollment and follow up until activation is complete

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Why We Start with Top Payers

Enrolling your highest-volume payers first delivers immediate, measurable benefits:
  • Quicker payments — Electronic deposits arrive faster than paper checks, improving your cash flow
  • Less manual work for your office — Fewer EOBs to scan and upload means your team can focus on patient care
  • Flawless reconciliation — Electronic remittance data matches perfectly with bank deposits, eliminating reconciliation headaches
  • Faster posting — Payments post automatically, reducing the time between payment receipt and posting in your system
  • Better visibility — You see payments and remittance details in real-time, not days or weeks later
As your top payers come online, your Enrollment Specialist continues enrolling your remaining carriers, building momentum toward a fully automated payment process.

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The Benefits of EFT & ERA

BenefitWhat Changes?Real-World Impact
Hands-Free PaperworkFiles arrive automaticallyFront desk reclaims 10–14 hrs/week
Improved Posting SpeedAuto-matching replaces 4–6 min manual steps25–50% faster per transaction
Faster Cash FlowSame-day visibility vs. 7-14 day waiting period with paper mailShrinks A/R, spots incorrect denials early
Transparent ReceivablesCleaner, quicker balancesFewer call-backs and surprise bills
Derived from CAQH Dental studies and DayDream customer logs.

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Industry Adoption

More and more dental practices are making the switch to electronic methods: Dental ERA adoption:
  • 2020 → 2024: 57% → 89%
According to the ADA, pushing the remaining paper hold-outs fully digital would save dental teams ≈ $1.5B in labor and postage every year.

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The Bottom Line

ERA automation shaves 1–3 min off tasks that used to take 4–6 min—about 30% faster on high-volume payment steps. Real-time remittance prevents paper mail from getting lost, stolen, or delayed—plus saves you constant trips to the bank for deposits. ERA/EFT is the backbone of a real-time, transparent revenue cycle. With adoption already at 89% and climbing, the only question left is: why wait? Free your team from paperwork and position your practice to thrive in a digital-first dental economy—starting today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Handing over my routing and account numbers feels risky—are there any dangers? A: No! DayDream uses a military-grade encryption service to ensure your information is safe and secure. Additionally, EFT is credit-only: Carriers can push deposits into your account but cannot withdraw funds. Q: If I go paperless, won’t I lose my documentation trail? A: You actually gain more records. Each payment comes with the official EOB file plus a human-readable PDF, all stored alongside the bank deposit inside DayDream. Q: The enrollment forms look complicated—do I need help? A: DayDream’s Enrollment Specialists handle the enrollment for you, free of charge! In the rare case we do need your assistance, online insurance portals guide you through in under ten minutes. You’ll need practice name, TIN, NPI, routing number, account number, and a contact email—nothing technical. Q: How long after enrollment will deposits start hitting the bank? A: National carriers typically turn on EFTs in 3–10 business days. Smaller regionals and various payors may batch updates monthly, so allow about 30 days. Your Enrollment Specialist will keep you updated on each carrier’s activation status. Q: I have multiple locations and NPIs—does each one need separate enrollment? A: Enrollment requirements depend on your practice’s billing structure:
  • Group TAX ID with Type 2 NPI: If your practice uses a group TAX ID and bills under a Type 2 NPI (organization NPI), you only need one enrollment application per payer—regardless of how many providers or locations you have.
  • Individual Type 1 NPIs only: If your practice bills under individual Type 1 NPIs (individual provider NPIs), each provider requires a separate enrollment application with each payer.
Your DayDream Enrollment Specialist can help determine your current billing setup and guide you through the appropriate enrollment process. Q: What happens if I change banks later? A: Update the routing and account numbers in the same portal or send a new EFT form. While the change processes, carriers default to the old account—no deposits go missing. Q: Will ERA enrollment force me onto Virtual Credit Cards (and their swipe fees)? A: No. ACH is the default for EFT and is fee-free. If a payor pushes VCCs, DayDream will submit a written request to switch to ACH; most comply within one payment cycle. Q: Will I be charged fees for ACH/EFT deposits? A: If your practice had EFT/ACH set up with a payer prior to onboarding with DayDream, we typically don’t change those existing enrollments—we simply ensure the correct ERA is routed to them. This means if your existing enrollment includes fees, those fees will continue. However, if there are issues with your existing enrollments that you’d like to address (such as switching to a fee-free option if available), DayDream can work with you to make updates. Your DayDream Enrollment Specialist can help determine if a fee-free option exists and assist with the transition. Note: This process can take 6+ months, so you may continue to see fees during the transition period. If you notice ACH fees on your account or want to explore updating your enrollments, contact your Account Manager to review your enrollment history and options. Q: What if my enrollment stalls? A: DayDream’s Enrollment Specialists track each carrier’s status and flag any form that sits too long, and will resubmit on your behalf. Your Account Manager can jump in with the exact payor contact or walk you through the portal live—you’re never alone in the paperwork. Still have questions? Email your Account Manager

Next Level Access

Once your DayDream login is activated, you’ll gain access to:
  • DayDream platform
  • Additional Handbook content
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