dental bill

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I have a dental bill for a 3d cone beam multi image reconstitution for $305. I wasn't told it wasn't covered and it had been implied to be part of the cost of my getting an implant. I already paid $1300 in March for my portion of the extraction. I still have the post implant and I'm sure that's another $1300 at least.

I would never have done this 3d imaging if I had known it wasn't covered. I am seriously irritated with the dental office. I am not sure what to do because they told me when I went in initially I had to pay for the extraction and implant. They didn't say for x-rays, which I consider part of the treatment.

If I had known I wouldn't have done it. I would have said screw it for $305. It's the principal of the matter. I am so pissed. What can I do? Refuse to pay? How do I negotiate paying less?

I can afford it but my DH and I are annoyed over these sort of things and the games dr offices play.

[annibe11e]

I'm waiting for my x-ray bill as well. X-rays were included in my root canal treatment, which was covered 50% and for my comprehensive exam. They were not included in my periodontal treatment. It is your responsibility to know what your insurance covers, even though it can be difficult to figure out. It wouldn't hurt to talk to the dentist's office and see if they are willing to give you a one-time discount, but I wouldn't refuse to pay. It wasn't their responsibility to tell you what your insurance covers and does not cover.

[tulog]

The x-ray is a diagnostic and preventative tool, and should be covered by the insurance. Dentist should continue to re-submit the claim to insurance to be reimbursed for this expense.

Should dentist fail to submit a claim which is paid by insurance, I would dispute both your liability and the amount charged for the service. If dentist insists, ask dentist to produce a writing signed by you where you agreed to the price of $305 for this x-ray service; this should be a clue that there was not a valid written or oral contract (no mutual agreement) for x-ray services. The insurance's declining to reimburse the expense is evidence that the service was not integral or required to the dental procedure being performed. If your dentist performed a medically unnecessary procedure, you should not be required to pay for it.

Furthermore, as you said, you did not bargain for an x-ray. You only agreed to an extraction, and implant.

[LuckyRobin]

I have learned to always ask, "Is it covered?" For every little thing. It is just so important to know before anything is done what you will be on the hook for. I also ask, "Is this necessary for my treatment?" Sometimes it is simply something that gives the doctor or dentist extra information, but is not actually needed to perform the service.

I don't think you have much choice but to pay it, you did get the service after all, but I do think that you need to let them know how you feel about it, that they implied it was included when it wasn't. Don't just talk to the billing people, talk to the dentist himself or herself. There is a small chance the dentist might waive the fee because of the miscommunication. Either way, you'll know to be more proactive in the future with finding out the out of pocket costs.

[creditcardfree]

Is the $305 the amount they charged the insurance and now the amount you are being billed for? This happened to us once. The amount was $300 billed to insurance and then to us, but by asking they cut the amount in half to $150. You know how billing works...charging large fees, which are then reduced. You should get the best rate the dentist will accept for the service.

[DRILLINDK]

Sigh...I was hoping to get to bed soon, but I can't help but respond. So here it goes...

[DRILLINDK]

I have a dental bill for a 3d cone beam multi image reconstitution for $305. I wasn't told it wasn't covered and it had been implied to be part of the cost of my getting an implant. I already paid $1300 in March for my portion of the extraction. I still have the post implant and I'm sure that's another $1300 at least.

I would never have done this 3d imaging if I had known it wasn't covered. I am seriously irritated with the dental office. I am not sure what to do because they told me when I went in initially I had to pay for the extraction and implant. They didn't say for x-rays, which I consider part of the treatment.

If I had known I wouldn't have done it. I would have said screw it for $305. It's the principal of the matter. I am so pissed. What can I do? Refuse to pay? How do I negotiate paying less?

I can afford it but my DH and I are annoyed over these sort of things and the games dr offices play.

I'm sorry this has happened. 3D cone beam imaging is very new to the dental industry. In fact, it's estimated that only about 10-15% of dental office have them in their office and/or use them. It is definitely the future of dentistry and has quickly become THE standard of care for not only dental implants, but for extractions and various other dental surgical procedures. I applaud your dentist for holding himself/herself to such a high standard of care and you should thank him for doing so.

I completely agree with that they should have explained all the costs with you upfront. In my office, I try to anticipate all possibilities and explain all reasonable scenarios to my patients. We provide them with a treatment plan estimate, which includes the 3d cone beam imaging, implant, etc, etc. Do I believe your dentist or office was trying to be deceptive...NO. Would the $305 payment made you decline the dental implant...NO. I would mention it to the office manager as well as the dentist and leave it be. If you want to fight it, then do it. It's really a judgement call of the dentist/manager at that point. In my office, I would apolagise about the miscommunication and politely tell you to pay the bill. However, my patient's know that I ALWAYS have their best interest in mind and I believe your dentist does too.

[DRILLINDK]

I'm waiting for my x-ray bill as well. X-rays were included in my root canal treatment, which was covered 50% and for my comprehensive exam. They were not included in my periodontal treatment. It is your responsibility to know what your insurance covers, even though it can be difficult to figure out. It wouldn't hurt to talk to the dentist's office and see if they are willing to give you a one-time discount, but I wouldn't refuse to pay. It wasn't their responsibility to tell you what your insurance covers and does not cover.

Good reasonable advice!

[DRILLINDK]

The x-ray is a diagnostic and preventative tool, and should be covered by the insurance. Dentist should continue to re-submit the claim to insurance to be reimbursed for this expense.

Should dentist fail to submit a claim which is paid by insurance, I would dispute both your liability and the amount charged for the service. If dentist insists, ask dentist to produce a writing signed by you where you agreed to the price of $305 for this x-ray service; this should be a clue that there was not a valid written or oral contract (no mutual agreement) for x-ray services. The insurance's declining to reimburse the expense is evidence that the service was not integral or required to the dental procedure being performed. If your dentist performed a medically unnecessary procedure, you should not be required to pay for it.

Furthermore, as you said, you did not bargain for an x-ray. You only agreed to an extraction, and implant.

Okay, you're somewhat right. Yes, a x-ray is a diagnostic tool, and is USUALLY covered by insurance companies.

Many individuals who have dental insurance benefits fail to realize that their insurance is out to make a profit. They are not your friend, they DO NOT have your best interest in mind. They can deny a claim for whatever reason they deem fit. In fact, it's well known they they deny a percentage of claims for no reason knowing that a small percentage of those claims will never be resubmitted.

Perhaps Mr. Living Almost Large's insurance plan does not cover 3d cone beam images or he/she has reach her insurance maximum for the year( also known as your dental allowance for the year).

Please don't argue with your dentist. This can be very frustrating as a dentist. If you would like to become argumentative, direct your anger toward the insurance company. Like I stated above, there's no telling why the insurance company denied the 3d cone beam. If the dentist asked for a 3d cone beam, then it was necessary.

[DRILLINDK]

Is the $305 the amount they charged the insurance and now the amount you are being billed for? This happened to us once. The amount was $300 billed to insurance and then to us, but by asking they cut the amount in half to $150. You know how billing works...charging large fees, which are then reduced. You should get the best rate the dentist will accept for the service.

I don't have a problem with asking for a reduced fee. It never hurts to ask. In my office that would've been a big "NO"

I don't have a problem with the, "charging large fees" statement. The large fees are to pay our bills. When your Doctor agrees to accept Your insurance, they are automatically taking a decreased fee to see you. On average, it can be a 20-30% decrease in their "large fees" This is the exact reason why we accept limited insurances in my office. Those "large fees" pay for their small business' expenses. You know, things like their staffs healthcare, 401k contributions, and Christmas bonuses.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Ugh I am still asking for a reduced fee and had I been informed it wasn't covered even a portion I would have refused. Why? Because I had a regular x-ray done for $35 in june and I would have waited longer to have the implant post done instead of shelling out $300 for the 3d xray.

[GrimJack]

My dental insurance generally tends to deny certain charges that seem to them unreasonable; the office manager kept at it and got the charges covered. Don't fret too much, just check to make sure that the office manager is on it. The dentist practice will do their best to make sure that it is covered (generally speaking - your mileage may vary(.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nope they won't do it. I am thinking of getting a second opinion because they want to do some extra work for the implant part and I'm worried that they'll again add on extra charges after I talk with my insurance company.

[lafayette louisiana]

dentist

This x-ray is a analysis along with precautionary tool, and really should possibly be covered by the insurance coverage. Dentist need to still re-submit the state to insurance coverage to get returned for this expense.

[lafayette louisiana]

dental

Not a chance they don't undertake it. My business is thinking of getting another opinion mainly because they would like to do a few added benefit the particular implant part and I'm worried that they can again add-on added prices after i consult our insurance firm.