Dentist Office Rant and Question

[DisneyMom81]

I've been with the same dentist office for many years. This is the 3rd time in not so long that they have canceled on me. They say the reason is because they are taking the appointments without knowing if the Dr. can be there. WTH?!?! Are you so stupid that you don't check to see it a Dr. is working before you take appointments???
This is the same office that kept almost $1,000 of my dollars without telling me. I had a bridge done, they charged me whatever amount, and then submitted it to the insurance. They say that they never know what the insurance is going to cover, so they have to charge the full amount, then see what they get back. I didn't go back after the bridge for about 8-9 months, so they just kept my money that whole time without saying a thing. Any Dentist office people in here that can account for that or rebut it? I makes NO sence to me at all, but they stand by it.

Is it time for me to find a new dentist???

 

[MIGrandma]

I would be looking for a new dentist immediately. To take appointments not knowing if the doctor is planning on coming in that day is ridiculous, and to cancel on you 3 times would be the "last straw" for me. And keeping your money like they did? Wow. I've never heard of a doctor or dentist to make the patient pay up front before submitting it to insurance. Here they submit the bill to insurance first, see what they get from them, then bill the patient for the remaining balance.

 

[KiminChicago]

My dentist generally estimates what he thinks the insurance will pay and charges me the rest when I have the work done. Since he usually overestimates how much the insurance will cover, I get a bill the next month for the remainder. It works as a win-win for both of us -- he gets some of the money up front and I get to spread my part of the payment over a couple of months.

 

[SNylund]

No, what you do is say "I'm sorry, I require at least 48 hours notice for a cancellation, this is our policy" and send THEM a bill for your lost hours!!

 

[Christine]

Since my dentist books me six months out, it has happened that I was scheduled and the dentist didn't know her plans that far out. But I was usually moved well before my appointment and they did their best to make the change convenient.

This sounds a bit excessive and the money-keeping thing is too much. I'd probably look around.

 

[lisajl]

Every time my DH and I would make an appt 6 months out, it never failed, our doctor would not be in that day. We always got calls to reschedule. Even the office people would say that it was always us having to move our appts.
Sometimes that far out it is difficult to say for 100% sure the doctor will be there. I work for a vet and things do happen. We have had to reschedule people every now and then.


for the money situation, I would be angry. I check our EOB's online and found out our insurance paid more than we thought. It took 6 weeks to get our money back.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Have you asked about the cancellation? Maybe something is going on?

As far as paying beforehand, most dentists do that.

 

[brios86]

I used to work in a small dentist office and we did not issue refunds unless the patient requested it. I would be on top of your EOB and know what you are responsible for paying and what you did pay. I would also request a predetermination of benefits (if time allows) before you have any large procedures done, like a bridge. That way you know exactly what you are supposed to pay and the dentist knows what will be covered.

Note: I did not like the ways the dentist I worked for ran things so I was out of there as soon as I got another job opportunity!

 

[DisneyMom81]

Thanks for the responces.

As far as them canceling my appointment, I didn't make them 6 months out or anywhere near that. I was more like 2-4 weeks out. I have a good amount of work to be done, and I want to get it done before the year is up so I don't waiste the insurance money, KWIM? If they keep canceling on me, and the fact that I can only go every other Saturday (and thats if they have an opening) I don't know if its going to happen. I really want out of there (there are a lot of other no so kosher things that have happened with them) but I want to get everything I need done because I know I won't do it other wise - total anti-dentite here!!!!!! Anyway, thanks again for your responces.

 

[smiley]

I would be looking for a new dentist immediately. To take appointments not knowing if the doctor is planning on coming in that day is ridiculous, and to cancel on you 3 times would be the "last straw" for me. And keeping your money like they did? Wow. I've never heard of a doctor or dentist to make the patient pay up front before submitting it to insurance. Here they submit the bill to insurance first, see what they get from them, then bill the patient for the remaining balance.

I agree with this 100%!!! I used to work for an insurance company and it is customary for a dental office to contact the insurance company to find out how much they will pay and inform the patient. Once the insurance company pays the dentist then the patient gets billed for the remainder of the fees.

Find a new dentist NOW!