I had a dental xray done at a dentist in the NW in May, before my insurance kicked in so I paid for it in full (I also saw the hygienist at this visit).

I have since moved to the South, and changed dentists this month. Anyway, I went to this dentist mainly because I have pain with my wisdom teeth, and I wanted to see if I could get them extracted, 2 have broken through the gums partially.

Anyway, they said before my appointment they would contact my dentist in the NW to get my xray. They did, he sent it. On the day I went for the consult, they said they couldn't open my xray due to a system error with their e-mail or such. They told me they would zero the xray on the invoice because it was their issue.

Long story short, the xray showed they cannot remove the wisdom teeth - they're impacted and wrapped around nerves - I have to be seen at a hospital/surgery center so will cost around 3k.

My insurance as well as my husband's insurance has both kicked in, so I left my details for the consultation so they can direct bill. What I'm concerned about is they billed my insurance for the consult and the xray. I got confirmation my insurance paid $150 for the xray + $100 consult fee.

So I feel like they've just took $150 off me that could have gone towards this surgery (both policies pay a maximum of $600 a year for dental claims). Should I complain to the practice? Or the insurance? Or just sit quietly and stew over it??

Depending on what you mean by the NW and the South provincial health coverage may pick up the tab for it. Are you in Canada? Necessary medical procedures including oral surgery in some provinces are covered leaving your insurance for normal exams, fillings, extractions and cleaning. At least when you do have to pay you get to write it off at tax time.

I don't know where you are, UK or Canada, BC or Ontario. In Ontario extraction of teeth/dental care in a hospital is. covered by OHIP, the Ontario health system.

I would ask the dentist why they billed for an xray. Did they forget, or did they just think they could get away with it?

Many dental plan packages differentiate between the types of dental work being carried out - is it basic stuff like check ups, cleaning, fillings, or is it more major work like crowns? Plans also have orthodontic limits, usually a lifetime limit.

Just so you understand it all better, I would ask the dentist to breakdown all the costs. Then read your dental plan carefully and understand exactly where the costs will be allocated and with who...

Depending on the plan and who does what work, check if you need any pre-authorization from the insurers for any large amount of work.

depending on what province your in, your provincial plan may cover the removal of the tooth as said.

For reference here is what MSP in BC says regarding the issue and coverage:

The Medical Services Plan (MSP) provides the following benefits:

medically required services provided by a physician enroled with MSP;
maternity care provided by a physician or a midwife (see the BC Midwifery Program);
medically required eye examinations provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist;
diagnostic services, including x-rays and laboratory services, provided at approved diagnostic facilities, when ordered by a registered physician, midwife, podiatrist, dental surgeon or oral surgeon;
dental and oral surgery, when medically required to be performed in hospital*;
orthodontic services related to severe congenital facial abnormalities.
* Surgical removal of an impacted third molar (wisdom tooth) is an MSP insured service only when hospitalization is medically required, due to the extreme complexity of the extraction and where there is associated pathology. The removal of healthy wisdom teeth, even if impacted, is not a benefit.

I'm assuming you are in Calgary with the references to the NW and the South

Definitely call the dental office and tell them you were charged for the X-ray when you were told they wouldn't. They can reverse it with the insurance company so that it doesn't come off of your claim limits.