Eastwood Dentists

[redacted] walked Into our office on May 17,and complained about his services not being covered by his InsuranceI was called to the front desk because he was acting In a loud and obnoxious manner(I am the office manager.) [redacted] proceeded to tell me about his Initial visit to the officeHe walked In and spoke to one of the receptionistsHe showed her his Insurance card after he wanted to book an appointment with DrE [redacted] The receptionist told him that DrE [redacted] was the only doctor not participating In [redacted] DentalHe told her he wanted to book an appointment with him, so she did.Mr [redacted] told me his hearing was excellent and that she stated Incorrectly that DrE [redacted] was the only doctor participatingShe never said thatShe Is DrE [redacted] ' secretary and Is fully aware that he Is the only doctor In our practice that Is not credentialed for [redacted] DentalI hear her telling people on the phone dally that DrE [redacted] Is not a participating providerWhy would she change what she says for one patient?At the time he came In, we had to assume that [redacted] was paid directly for the claimHe made comments that he only got $He did pay the balance In fullNon-participating providers do not normally receive the payments directlyHowever, this morning we found the [redacted] check for [redacted] In the weekend mallI Immediately posted It to his account and printed a refund check for the $21.00received from [redacted] DentalIt went out with the noon mail[redacted] kept telling me he would never make an appointment for a dentist not In his planHis coverage applies a deductible regardless of In-network or notThere Is a co-pay he Is responsible for as wellIt Is unfortunate that he misunderstood the receptionistHowever, we have many patients who are in dental plans who want to see our dentists regardless of our participationI truly am sorry for the misunderstanding, but his is responsible for the balance that he paid

[redacted] walked Into our office on May 17,2016 and complained about his services not being covered by his Insurance. I was called to the front desk because he was acting In a loud and obnoxious manner. (I am the office manager.) [redacted] proceeded to tell me about his Initial visit to the...

office. He walked In and spoke to one of the receptionists. He showed her his Insurance card after he wanted to book an appointment with Dr. E[redacted]. The receptionist told him that Dr. E[redacted] was the only doctor not participating In [redacted] Dental. He told her he wanted to book an appointment with him, so she did.Mr. [redacted] told me his hearing was excellent and that she stated Incorrectly that Dr. E[redacted] was the only doctor participating. She never said that. She Is Dr. E[redacted]' secretary and Is fully aware that he Is the only doctor In our practice that Is not credentialed for [redacted] Dental. I hear her telling people on the phone dally that Dr. E[redacted] Is not a participating provider. Why would she change what she says for one patient?At the time he came In, we had to assume that [redacted] was paid directly for the claim. He made comments that he only got $21.00. He did pay the balance In full. Non-participating providers do not normally receive the payments directly. However, this morning we found the [redacted] check for [redacted] In the weekend mall. I Immediately posted It to his account and printed a refund check for the $21.00received from [redacted] Dental. It went out with the noon mail.[redacted] kept telling me he would never make an appointment for a dentist not In his plan. His coverage applies a deductible regardless of In-network or not. There Is a co-pay he Is responsible for as well. It Is unfortunate that he misunderstood the receptionist. However, we have many patients who are in dental plans who want to see our dentists regardless of our participation. I truly am sorry for the misunderstanding, but his is responsible for the balance that he paid.

I did not act in a loud and rude manner.   I made sure that the office was empty when I explained my problem with the billing.  The office employees told me that the receptionist knew better and that she would make sure that she understood that Dr. E[redacted] was not a [redacted] PPO provider.   It would make little sense that I would pay for Dental Insurance that I could barely afford on social security income and then make an appointment with the only dentist in the office that is not a network provider wherein I would have to pay almost the entire bill.  I gave the receptionist my insurance card to be sure it would be covered by a network provider.  I had never before heard of Dr E[redacted], and would have had no reason to want that appointment if she had said as the office manger stated that he was the only one who was NOT a network provider.  I made the appointment with the understanding that Dr E[redacted] was a network provider and would not have made it otherwise since there are three in network Dentists within three miles of this office.  My insurance company had said to inquire to insure the provider was in network, which I exactly what I did.   I paid the bill right then since I legally obligated myself to do so, even though I could hardly afford it, which shows that I was not trying to avoid paying the bill, but to simply let them know that what they did was not ethical.  Putting aside other considerations.   I did state that I did not feel that the young receptionist lied to me intentionally but did tell me that Dr E[redacted] was THE ONLY Dentist that was an in network provider.  I also sated, that I had no problem with the quality of the work performed or with Dr. [redacted], who was a caring professional and did excellent work...My complain had nothing to do with him.   I was not happy that the woman in the office made absolutely no attempt to assist in the misunderstanding except to tell me she would talk to that receptionist to make certain she understood that in the future.   I did say that was fine, but how was that helping me since  I had to pay almost the entire bill.  My insurance would have covered the initial exam and cleaning when done and a co pay for the actual work done.   It would make absolutely no senses to any thinking person to think that I would actually make an effort to make an appointment with a dentist if I had been informed that he was not a network provider.    I did state that they should be ashamed of themselves for deceiving patients when, I feel ethics would require that they actually do inform them that the dentist is not a network provider and most of the entire bill would be paid by the patient.  I felt like the office person with whom I spoke was calling me a liar and then saying she would talk to her receptionist so that it doesn't happen to someone else.  The two statement appear to be mutually exclusive.   No attempt was made on the part of that office person to make the situation any better and that I just misunderstood what the girl said.   I feel that, in this case, some consideration should have been offered since she was not actually sure that the young office lady made that clear to me when I made the appointment for later that week.