dental bill

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Update...today I got my implant done and as I was walking out I was told I need to pay for my procedure. What??

I said bill me and I'll pay it. Biller "we can't bill you because we haven't sent it to insurance and that might take awhile." LAL "well then why am I paying and what am I paying for?"

Biller "you are paying the "pre-estimate". That's almost the same as a bill." LAL "No, I want a bill." Biller "we can't bill you because insurance hasn't settled up." LAL "well then I'm not paying. Send me a bill, my husband wants to see a bill."

I didn't talk to my husband but I refused to pay. I will pay when the bill comes but what the HECK!

Is that how it works now. Am I wrong for expecting to be billed after insurance settles up and I get 30 days? Am I weird for not paying?

[JoeP]

I hope you get this sorted out.

Not for nothing, but my experience with the dental business is very mixed. My first dentist from age 2 to 30 was a family dentist who was a very friendly and non-material guy. He drove cheap domestic cars and lived in the next neighborhood over. His fees were very affordable, he did a great job, and was available when needed for emergencies (like cracking my tooth on a Tator Tot in junior high).

His son took over and everything changed. Suddenly, the office staff tripled. Flat screen TVs in the waiting area. Leather furniture. Digital everything. Big Lexus in the parking lot. Tons of accolades and framed diplomas in the hallway. Bigger location. He lives across town in the very expensive neighborhoods. I once looked at my bill and saw that the "oral cancer screening" line item was $25. This is where the dentist had me stick out my tongue and he pulled it to the left and right for a grand total of less than 3 seconds...yes, I counted every time he did this. Even with very good dental insurance, I just didn't feel comfortable in this situation so I left to another dentist.

Don't get me wrong. I am not at all suggesting he change his business model. He is free to do what he wants as far as revenue and services are concerned. I do, however, encourage patients to evaluate their comfort level with their own situation, and if there are incompatibilities, find another dentist. Although this is true for virtually every service, people for some reason feel strong allegiance to their doctors, even after negative experiences.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Called insurance and they said they won't cover more though when I had the extraction they said they would be covering more. I hate dental insurance. They never explain how and why things happen. What is the point of dental insurance?

They said they don't pay for the bone graft on the extraction or implant but only solo. WTF. I cannot stand insurance companies.

[DRILLINDK]

Called insurance and they said they won't cover more though when I had the extraction they said they would be covering more. I hate dental insurance. They never explain how and why things happen. What is the point of dental insurance?

They said they don't pay for the bone graft on the extraction or implant but only solo. WTF. I cannot stand insurance companies.

You and me both! Insurance companies are out to make a profit. They are one of THE biggest scams is society.

Dentist and dental offices are in a constant battle with them. I think your dental office handled your case incorrectly and I'm sorry that there was that much confusion about your bill. In my office, before I perform any treatment, we present the patient with an estimate of treatment that shows a ballpark figure of what they can expect to pay. Sometimes, they pay more, sometimes less. It always depends on insurance, which is really a craps shoot! They constantly change their rules and purposefully make it confusing and deceptive.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I decided I wasn't comfortable paying a bill until I had called and talked with them. They said I shouldn't pay until they pay because they weren't even sure if they would cover everything.