New Concept Dental

This letter is our response to the above-mentioned complaint you have receivedWhen *** came in November with discomfort, we reviewed her treatment options, as well as financial estimates.During this appointment, she was disappointed that we did not offer her a payment plan,
stretching over timeShe was not interested in outside dental healthcare financial options (Wells Fargo, Care Credit), and was offered a courtesy adjustment for full paymentShe accepted treatment, and financial responsibility, and was seen the following day to commence her treatmentDuring the course of dental treatment, additional work may become necessary , as was the case with *** 's root canalWe try to always communicate treatment needs, as well as financial costs to our patients prior to starting treatmentThere are occasions, during treatment, where things change, and additional work may be neededAt those times, if at all possible, the patient is informed, and finances are reviewed
In addition, *** states that she has requested her children's recordsRadiographs were taken at their initial appointments, February 20, We have not seen them since November , These films are not current, and would need to be updated by any dental provider
We work with and submit claims to our patients insurance carriers and always tell our patients that it is their responsibility to know and understand their individual insurance benefits; however it is our responsibility to inform and treat our patients based on their dental needs and not their insurance benefits
As a courtesy, we have already adjusted ***'s account twice (totaling $355.12) to help her get her treatment completed She called to discuss her account on March 24th at which time she promised to pay
$per month towards her bill An exception to our office policy was made, payment arrangements were accepted, and her initial payment was receivedNo payment was received in April, and on May 2"d, we received $We have been very accommodating to ***, and feel she is responsible for the balance that remains on her account, as the treatment was completed

Review: I went in for a dental appt., prior to going I was given a price. I paid the price which was over $2,000 out of my pocket. While havingthe work done, the doctor says you need a root canal. Not once did anyone come and tell me the price. The Dr. said I had to decide right now and he did not mention a price. I thought it was all included in the $4,000.00+ they billed my insurance co. I came back to have 2 fillings done, the doctor does 4. Again, no one communicated the price, they just did it. I was unaware of any additional pricing until I received a $1,071 bill in the mail. The person that handles insurance says, well you've exhausted your insurance benefit. Then the dental assistant and the receptionist/billing person, began harrassing me about making another appt. for x-rays and cleaning. Why would I make such an appt. if I have no benefits. I told them, no I can't do this right now. I called about the bill and spoke to [redacted] the office manager, I told her about not being told about the price of the root canal and the extra fillings and her response was that "Oh my, this has happened again and it's not the first time." She offers me a $100 credit for their mistake, sorry, but $100 doesn't do much for me since I have already paid $2,000+ out of my pocket and they added another $1,071 to the bill. The $1,071, is basically the amount they did not communicate to me. Given the pricing, I would have elected to wait until there was more insurance available. They won't release my children's records until this bill has been satisfied. This was not in my budget. I am still trying to pay this off. I am filing the complaint because I am certain their staff has done this to other patients. It as if, no matter what procedure you get they add on more to generate more revenue.Desired Settlement: I think they should credit 1/2 of the 1071.00 to me.

Business

Response:

This letter is our response to the above-mentioned complaint you have received. When [redacted] came in November 12. 20 13 with discomfort, we reviewed her treatment options, as well as financial estimates.During this appointment, she was disappointed that we did not offer her a payment plan, stretching over time. She was not interested in outside dental healthcare financial options (Wells Fargo, Care Credit), and was offered a courtesy adjustment for full payment. She accepted treatment, and financial responsibility, and was seen the following day to commence her treatment. During the course of dental treatment, additional work may become necessary , as was the case with [redacted] 's root canal. We try to always communicate treatment needs, as well as financial costs to our patients prior to starting treatment. There are occasions, during treatment, where things change, and additional work may be needed. At those times, if at all possible, the patient is informed, and finances are reviewed.

In addition, [redacted] states that she has requested her children's records. Radiographs were taken at their initial appointments, February 20, 2012. We have not seen them since November , 2012. These films are not current, and would need to be updated by any dental provider.

We work with and submit claims to our patients insurance carriers and always tell our patients that it is their responsibility to know and understand their individual insurance benefits; however it is our responsibility to inform and treat our patients based on their dental needs and not their insurance benefits.

As a courtesy, we have already adjusted [redacted]'s account twice (totaling $355.12) to help her get her treatment completed. She called to discuss her account on March 24th at which time she promised to pay

$200.00 per month towards her bill. An exception to our office policy was made, payment arrangements were accepted, and her initial payment was received. No payment was received in April, and on May 2"d, we received $100.00. We have been very accommodating to [redacted], and feel she is responsible for the balance that remains on her account, as the treatment was completed .