Douglas B. Smail DDS

Before scheduling an appointment with Dr. Smails office my dentist office called Dr. Smails office for me, sent his office digital x-rays from August 25, 2010, and acknowledge that we wanted to be sure on our insurance coverage with this office.When I arrived at Dr. Smails office my daughter and I walked up to the counter with our completed paperwork (that we had received in the mail), gave it to the woman at the desk and told her we wanted to be sure our insurance would be covering the cost of the visit, which she replied ok.When the nurse called * (my daughter) into the exam room, I reiterated that we wanted to be sure our insurance covered our visit and told her I informed the front desk of this, she replied ok.The oral surgeon came in and checked * mouth while chatting with her about himself and the area we live in. He said the x-rays were from 2009, which made them two years old and he needed current x-rays. I told him our dentist office said they were from 2010, (which they were) but he said no they were not. I was thinking there wouldn't be a time issue with insurance coverage if they were two years old, knowing from previous experience that dental x-rays are covered at least every year, sometimes longer. So again I asked if our insurance would cover them and the woman with the doctor said, I understand your concern. After the x-rays and exam we went to the checkout desk. We talked about scheduling an appointment for surgery. At this point the woman informed me we would have to pay for the surgery up front and then submit it to our insurance company. I had her give me the bill with procedure codes so I could call my insurance company and be sure everything would be covered under my insurance.She gave me the information and informed me the payment for that day would be $200.00. I said that I asked three times about our insurance paying for the visit and the x-rays and was never told there would be a charge for the visit. She said, Im sorry I dont know who you spoke to. My reply was, I spoke to three different people, theres not that many people here in your office.After leaving and telling them to send me the bill, I would not be paying, I spoke to my sister who said she also was referred to his office and had the same experience. They mislead her and never told her that her insurance would not cover the visit.I called Dr. Smails office three times explaining the situation and asked to speak with the doctor. Each time I was told he would call me back. As of today the doctor, nor any of the office workers have returned my phone calls.When I spoke to my dentist office and explained to them why Dr. Smail would not be extracting my daughters teeth, they offered to talk to Dr. Smails office. When they called, they were told that x-rays were done because my daughter had braces on at the time of the original x-rays were taken. (Not the date because by now they were not admitting to their error) My daughter having braces for the x-rays was never mentioned to me while I was in the office.I believe I was severely misled and I am very upset on how their office handled the entire situation and do not feel I should have to pay for x-rays that I specifically asked from them not to take if our insurance would not pay for them. That they took by error. I would have waited three more months until the first of the year when our insurance would pay for them.