What is an ERA?
An ERA is a digital version of an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) that is complimented by direct deposits, also known as electronic funds transfer (EFT). Because ERA and EFTs arrive together, DayDream can auto-post, flag denials, and reconcile faster and more efficiently—no manual upload or scanning required.
DayDream will enroll your practice and handle all the admin work— free of charge.
More and more dentists are using 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.
Four Ways ERA/EFT Supercharges Your Office
*Derived from CAQH Dental studies and DayDream customer logs.
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.
Q: How long after I submit the forms 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.
Q: I have multiple locations and NPIs—does each one need separate enrollment?
A: Yes. EFT/ERA is tied to each TIN/NPI combination, but most portals let you duplicate the first form, so the extra work is minimal.
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: What if my enrollment stalls?
A: DayDream tracks each carrier’s status and flags 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.
DayDream helps dentists put their billing on autopilot. Interested in learning more? Book a demo today.
