NEED ADVICE: Provider did not disclose that COBRA coverage would not include Dental, and now we owe the Dentist $$$$.

Insurance: United Healthcare + Delta Dental

I ended my employment June 1, and was going to be getting three months COBRA benefits and my HR department had told me that that would be both medical and dental.

In June, we had several dental appointments and the dentist at that time was still showing coverage and submitted claims to Delta Dental. We went for a follow up appointment today and they’re now saying that Dental coverage ended on June 1. I checked Delta online and saw the same thing.

I contacted HR who talked to the ‘provider’ (not sure who exactly, but I think Delta), who said:

“They are on state continuation as the group doesn’t qualify for cobra. Yes, on the form it states that it is for health coverage. I don’t believe the form explains about the group not qualifying, and I apologize if we did not explain that to you. “

I’m now left with a $2000+ dental bill that I cannot pay and I don’t know what any of this means, nor do I know my options on how to pay it back, or claim that I wasn’t properly notified that my dental coverage would be ending.

Help please!?