Dr. Shellie Branson, D.M.D.

Review: When calling to make a new patient appointment for my children, I was assured by Dr. Branson's office that they accepted my dental insurance. When I received a bill for over $100 for routine cleanings, I questioned the office as to how I could have a bill when my insurance covers all preventative procedures performed at 100%. Only that that time did they finally disclose that they were an out of network provider, and that I would be responsible for a large portion of the bill. I was upset and asked why they told me upon the initial call for an appointment that they were a participating provider. Initially the woman did not have an explanation as to why I was misled, but then eventually stated that she "probably" told me that on the phone. I told her she was mistaken, that I had not been informed of that and had I been informed, I would have elected to go to a provider that was in-network. She indicated that I was still responsible for that portion regardless of whether or not I was told they were out-of-network.

Business

Response:

I would like to clarify any confusion regarding our participation in the patient's insurance plan. I have been in practice for 27 years, and I have never been a participating provider for any insurance company other than Delta Dental. I have no reason to believe any member of my staff who have all worked for me for at least 7 years, misrepresented our insurance participation status to this patient. We happily file anyones insurance as a courtesy , however we are under no contractual obligation to accept the insurance company's reimbursement fee schedule. No one has ever filed a complaint prior to this one because we are not in the habit of misrepresenting the insurance companies in which we participate.