Fredric S. Siegel, DDS

[redacted] came to my office for x-rays, exam and cleaning on 7-**-At that time there were three cavities present requiring treatmentPatient returned 7-**-at which time all three fillings were completeWhen the explanation of benefits were received two of the three fillings were paid as amalgam fillings even though I had billed for the composite bonded fillings which I had actually doneBecause of this underpayment we had to bill [redacted] for the difference in cost as the bonded fillings are more expensiveThe patient was sent bills for $five months in a row without response nor were the bills being returned from the post officeInstead of sending the claim straight to collection my billing dept went above and beyond by calling the emergency contact to see if there was a way we could get in contact with the patientThe emergency contact told us the patient was out of the country but would send word via email that we were trying to contact herAt that time the emergency contact was given the office email address to give to the patientWhen the patient finally responded she was given ample time to take care of the balanceWhen she complained about the bill as a courtesy I would accept $insteadThis courtesy was then taken as a sign of guilt were there is noneIf acceptable payments arrangements are made within the next days then we will not refer the account to our collection agencyI feel that it was not valid for her to lodge this compliant as she was treated with fairness and respect at all timesI also feel that [redacted] is fabricating this story in order to support this invalid complaint

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I have been nothing but professional and have indeed attempted to arrange payment arrangements with the doctor's office. I have not resorted to name calling or defamation of character, so I am not sure why saying I am "fabricating" the events is necessary. To characterize me as such is necessary and rude. The facts remain, I was told one thing and billed another. I have complete understanding on how insurance works and agree that I signed an insurance waiver. This has never been disputed. I did not have three cavities (nor have I ever). I protested against the filling initially and decided to play on the safe side for one. I also was suggested to speak to the [redacted] and decided against it. I informed the office of leaving the country. When my emergency contact reached out, I within 1-2 days I believe contacted the office. I have proof with e-mails of my dispute of price. The office agreed to reduce the cost. I mentioned in the e-mail I was noting my protest. In a separate e-mail, which I have as evidence, I attempted to arrange payment timetable due to my lack of funds in the US and the need for wire transfer. I WAS NOT told I had 30 days to pay. In fact I was told via e-mail on January [redacted], the same day I reached out to make payment arrangements, the below in an e-mail sent at 3:32 p.m. "The accountant will not wait for payment, for you have known about this for several days already. Also the payment has to be paid in full. The office is closing within the next half hour, we have exhausted our time trying to work this out." Please not, several days, is in this message. If I have falsely recounted events, I would not respond, however for lack of a better word, to call me a liar, is the exact reason I lodged this complaint. I have yet to have professional treatment from this organization. I have attached the e-mail messages that prove everything I have stated to this response.
In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

[redacted] came to my office for x-rays, exam and cleaning on 7-**-14. At that time there were three cavities present requiring treatment. Patient returned 7-**-14 at which time all three fillings were complete. When the explanation of benefits were received two of the three fillings were paid as...

amalgam fillings even though I had billed for the composite bonded fillings which I had actually done. Because of this underpayment we had to bill [redacted] for the difference in cost as the bonded fillings are more expensive. The patient was sent bills for $225 five months in a row without response nor were the bills being returned from the post office. Instead of sending the claim straight to collection my billing dept went above and beyond by calling the emergency contact to see if there was a way we could get in contact with the patient. The emergency contact told us the patient was out of the country but would send word via email that we were trying to contact her. At that time the emergency contact was given the office email address to give to the patient. When the patient finally responded she was given ample time to take care of the balance. When she complained about the bill as a courtesy I would accept $150 instead. This courtesy was then taken as a sign of guilt were there is none. If acceptable payments arrangements are made within the next 30 days then we will not refer the account to our collection agency. I feel that it was not valid for her to lodge this compliant as she was treated with fairness and respect at all times. I also feel that [redacted] is fabricating this story in order to support this invalid complaint.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

I am sorry she fells this way. I don't wish to argue the point any further. I will credit her account the full amount. I wish [redacted] good luck in her new home.

Review: Hello, in July 2014, I went to Fredric Siegel DDS for the first time after finding them through my insurance company. I was preparing to leave the country for new employment and made the dentist and his front office staff aware of this numerous times. I went in for a routine cleaning or so I thought. The dentist and his assistant insisted that I have a small cavity (something I have never had in 36 years) and should get it filled prior to leaving the country. I initially was suspicious because within all my years of going to a dentist, I have never had a cavity. The dentist and his assistant insisted that it was very small. I inquired if the filling would be fully covered by my insurance as I did not want to be responsible for a bill once I left the country. I insisted so much that we all walked to the front desk, the dentist asked his front desk administrator to "check the coverage". Both the dentist and the young lady looked at a paper document and ensured me that it was covered fully. I inquired "are you sure", I will not have access to payment once I leave, again they assured me. This is what I believe was misleading, which will be proven below. I agreed to the service and left the country August *.

January **, 2015, I received a message from a family member who was listed as my emergency contact for the office. She informed me that the office has been attempting to contact me regarding an outstanding balance. My emergency contact, as I did prior to leaving, told them I was no longer living in the United States.They expressed that I should e-mail them, which I did on or about January **, 2015. The office was preparing to send me to collections after charging me for the filling which was not covered by my then insurance company. The same filling that I inquired about and told I wanted to ensure was covered prior to leaving. The woman on the other end of the email expressed they have been attempting to contact me. I didn't understand being that I explicitly kept reminding them I would be gone. I responded that I did not agree with these unethical practices of blatantly misleading to me about coverage. I recounted my visit and how specific I was with regards to coverage. The response was that the insurance company does cover fillings, but NOT the one [redacted] used (as he hasn't used them for years)! This was my first visit to his office and while inquiring about coverage, they made NO mention of materials used and how that may change coverage. I believe the office purposefully misled me. As a professional, I understand I signed an insurance waiver, but the organization should be held responsible for these actions. As a professional, I also understand coverage is based on my insurance company. I should have gone with my gut feeling while in the chair.

To save my credit history from being destroyed by this company, I contacted them attempting to make payment arrangements. As I have mentioned too many times to mention, I am now living outside of the United States and do not have means to US banking systems or direct money transfers, the dentist office refused to work with me to make a payment plan. What they did do, which I believe was out of guilt, they decreased the amount owned after I made a complaint regarding their practices. I attempted to make arrangements to make monthly payments to allow for international wire transfers. This all took place within a week and this is the response I received: "The accountant will not wait for payment, for you have known about this for several days already. Also the payment has to be paid in full. The office is closing within the next half hour, we have exhausted our time trying to work this out."

The response has been duly noted as the business has not working with me and providing false information regarding coverage. I would like to prevent situations like this from occurring to any other patron.Desired Settlement: I'd like to have the office acknowledge the discrepancy in billing, make the correction and work with me in a professional manner. They have been very rude and unwilling to make arrangements. I feel the decrease in the final amount is an admission in unethical practices.

Business

Response:

[redacted] came to my office for x-rays, exam and cleaning on 7-**-14. At that time there were three cavities present requiring treatment. Patient returned 7-**-14 at which time all three fillings were complete. When the explanation of benefits were received two of the three fillings were paid as amalgam fillings even though I had billed for the composite bonded fillings which I had actually done. Because of this underpayment we had to bill [redacted] for the difference in cost as the bonded fillings are more expensive. The patient was sent bills for $225 five months in a row without response nor were the bills being returned from the post office. Instead of sending the claim straight to collection my billing dept went above and beyond by calling the emergency contact to see if there was a way we could get in contact with the patient. The emergency contact told us the patient was out of the country but would send word via email that we were trying to contact her. At that time the emergency contact was given the office email address to give to the patient. When the patient finally responded she was given ample time to take care of the balance. When she complained about the bill as a courtesy I would accept $150 instead. This courtesy was then taken as a sign of guilt were there is none. If acceptable payments arrangements are made within the next 30 days then we will not refer the account to our collection agency. I feel that it was not valid for her to lodge this compliant as she was treated with fairness and respect at all times. I also feel that [redacted] is fabricating this story in order to support this invalid complaint.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# [redacted], and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

I have been nothing but professional and have indeed attempted to arrange payment arrangements with the doctor's office. I have not resorted to name calling or defamation of character, so I am not sure why saying I am "fabricating" the events is necessary. To characterize me as such is necessary and rude. The facts remain, I was told one thing and billed another. I have complete understanding on how insurance works and agree that I signed an insurance waiver. This has never been disputed. I did not have three cavities (nor have I ever). I protested against the filling initially and decided to play on the safe side for one. I also was suggested to speak to the [redacted] and decided against it. I informed the office of leaving the country. When my emergency contact reached out, I within 1-2 days I believe contacted the office. I have proof with e-mails of my dispute of price. The office agreed to reduce the cost. I mentioned in the e-mail I was noting my protest. In a separate e-mail, which I have as evidence, I attempted to arrange payment timetable due to my lack of funds in the US and the need for wire transfer. I WAS NOT told I had 30 days to pay. In fact I was told via e-mail on January [redacted], the same day I reached out to make payment arrangements, the below in an e-mail sent at 3:32 p.m. "The accountant will not wait for payment, for you have known about this for several days already. Also the payment has to be paid in full. The office is closing within the next half hour, we have exhausted our time trying to work this out." Please not, several days, is in this message. If I have falsely recounted events, I would not respond, however for lack of a better word, to call me a liar, is the exact reason I lodged this complaint. I have yet to have professional treatment from this organization. I have attached the e-mail messages that prove everything I have stated to this response.

In order for the Revdex.com to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

Business

Response:

I am sorry she fells this way. I don't wish to argue the point any further. I will credit her account the full amount. I wish [redacted] good luck in her new home.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me and the matter has been resolved.

Sincerely,