Nista Family Dental Center PC

Please accept my apology for the mistakes and errors of your last appointmentOur office manager was sick for several days and she had little time when she returned to work, to process new patients' cases(insurance, out of pocket expenses, etc.)Our practice utilizes comprehensive dentistry, urging patients to complete all of their care in a timely manner, which is healthier and less expensive than an "emergency to emergency" approach that many patients unfortunately takeTo make it efficient to bill and monitor patients' accounts, sum totals of their comprehensive care are offered in several payment options, if the total is not affordable at one timeThis is also done so that a patient is not caught by surprise if treatment rapidly exceeds for the appointed day(ex: a particular filling anticipated to take an hour to complete is completed in minutes, thus opening time for several more fillings to be completed(though not scheduled) and often patients want as much done as possible at each appointment)However, we do offer flexibility from our standard payment options depending on the case and this clearly should have been offered to youOnce we have received your written request(per HIPAA rules) we can forward copies of your radiographs and records to you at no cost

Please accept my apology for the mistakes and errors of your last appointmentOur office manager was sick for several days and she had little time when she returned to work, to process new patients' cases(insurance, out of pocket expenses, etc.)Our practice utilizes comprehensive dentistry, urging patients to complete all of their care in a timely manner, which is healthier and less expensive than an "emergency to emergency" approach that many patients unfortunately takeTo make it efficient to bill and monitor patients' accounts, sum totals of their comprehensive care are offered in several payment options, if the total is not affordable at one timeThis is also done so that a patient is not caught by surprise if treatment rapidly exceeds for the appointed day(ex: a particular filling anticipated to take an hour to complete is completed in minutes, thus opening time for several more fillings to be completed(though not scheduled) and often patients want as much done as possible at each appointment)However, we do offer flexibility from our standard payment options depending on the case and this clearly should have been offered to youOnce we have received your written request(per HIPAA rules) we can forward copies of your radiographs and records to you at no cost

Please accept my apology for the mistakes and errors of your last appointment. Our office manager was sick for several days and she had little time when she returned to work, to process new patients' cases(insurance, out of pocket expenses, etc.). Our practice utilizes comprehensive dentistry,...

urging patients to complete all of their care in a timely manner, which is healthier and less expensive than an "emergency to emergency" approach that many patients unfortunately take. To make it efficient to bill and monitor patients' accounts, sum totals of their comprehensive care are offered in several payment options, if the total is not affordable at one time. This is also done so that a patient is not caught by surprise if treatment rapidly exceeds for the appointed day(ex: a particular filling anticipated to take an hour to complete is completed in 10 minutes, thus opening time for several more fillings to be completed(though not scheduled) and often patients want as much done as possible at each appointment). However, we do offer flexibility from our standard payment options depending on the case and this clearly should have been offered to you. Once we have received your written request(per HIPAA rules) we can forward copies of your radiographs and records to you at no cost.

Review: I went for my initial dental evaluation last Wednesday. The office manager had left earlier in the day due to illness & was not there to discuss finances. I requested that she call me when she returned to work, and scheduled an appointment for the following Tuesday, reiterating that I would like to discuss the treatment plan & financial options with the office manager before that appointment. She never attempted to contact me during those 6 days. My girlfriend called an hour before the appointment to discuss what would take place at the appointment that evening & the cost. The office manager, [redacted], gave her a total treatment plan & the price which she relayed to me, at which time my girlfriend told her I would be able to pay the $40 charge for the treatments scheduled for that evening & would also be able to pay for any fillings done that evening, after she told me they would probably be able to do 2 or 3. I heard my girlfriend specifically say that I would only be able to pay for the treatment that was done that evening. She told her that would be fine & that we would go over the finances during the appointment. When we arrived, the dentist, who was behind the counter, did not greet us, but quickly disappeared down the hall. The office manager came to the window with a financial agreement in hand, and informed us that I would not be able to get any treatment without paying at least a third of the cost of the total plan, which came out to almost $400. I was extremely unhappy, as that was not what we had been told on the phone just an hour earlier, especially since my girlfriend had left work early for this appointment & we now have to find another dentist. I feel we were misled by this office and still have to find treatment at another location, schedule another appointment and wait for treatment.Desired Settlement: I request that my records, treatment plan & notes, & x-rays be forwarded to my care until I am able to find another dentist. I also request that a sign in their lobby which reads something to the effect of, "We request payment for treatment done at the time of treatment" be not only removed, but replaced with a more accurate sign stating the office policy of not giving ANY treatment (no matter how badly needed) without payment of at least a third of the out-of-pocket cost for every treatment they intend on doing for the next year, which is what we were told when we arrived.

Business

Response:

Please accept my apology for the mistakes and errors of your last appointment. Our office manager was sick for several days and she had little time when she returned to work, to process new patients' cases(insurance, out of pocket expenses, etc.). Our practice utilizes comprehensive dentistry, urging patients to complete all of their care in a timely manner, which is healthier and less expensive than an "emergency to emergency" approach that many patients unfortunately take. To make it efficient to bill and monitor patients' accounts, sum totals of their comprehensive care are offered in several payment options, if the total is not affordable at one time. This is also done so that a patient is not caught by surprise if treatment rapidly exceeds for the appointed day(ex: a particular filling anticipated to take an hour to complete is completed in 10 minutes, thus opening time for several more fillings to be completed(though not scheduled) and often patients want as much done as possible at each appointment). However, we do offer flexibility from our standard payment options depending on the case and this clearly should have been offered to you. Once we have received your written request(per HIPAA rules) we can forward copies of your radiographs and records to you at no cost.