This is not fair, bad business

[Lorix2]

I submitted a dental claim to my ins.co. for payment. I had paid the dentist in full. When I submitted the claim, I wrote on it 2x "please pay subscriber".

When I called to inquire about the status of the claim, the ins. company told me they made the check out to the DENTIST in error, but they would stop payment on it immediately and reissue me a check. I didn't think much of it and would just wait for the check.

My dentist office called and asked me when I was going to the pay the stop payment fee for the insurance check! I told them "I didn't ask for them to do that and it was their error and that's the way they were handling it and furthermore, if I had a zero balance, why would they cash the check anyway?" They told me their policy is to cash all ins. checks and reimburse patients. I wouldn't know that since I paid in full because quite honestly, I when I went for the appointment I forgot I had dental, because most of my life, we've been without it, it had been in affect for only 3 months and just didn't think of it.

Bottom line, even though the ins. co. admits the error and stop payment order, they will not pay for the fee. My dentist refuses to call the ins. co about it and said "it's my responsibility". Neither one will cooperate and it looks like if it's not paid, they'll put it in the credit bureau.

How is this fair to me? I didn't make the error or ask them to do any of this. The BBB will not consider the claim because it deals with company policy.

I can't get a customer service rep to put me through to a mgr. They all tell me "we DO NOT pay for stop payment fees". But excuse me! It was your error!

Would you call again or write? I'm really angry about this.

Thanks for letting me vent

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[mickeyboat]

Call again and write. Is your insurance through your employment? If so, speak to Human Resources and find out whether they can give you the name of their agent. Maybe the agent can help you out. When you all the insurance company, ask to speak to a supervisor. You should not be liable for that charge. It is hard to believe that the dentist office won't write it off in the name of good customer relations.

Denae

 

[Lorix2]

Denae - that's exactly how I feel and I think I will write and call again.

The dental ins. is thru my husband's employment...there's really no human resources, just 2 girls in the construction company's office....

Thanks.

 

[Kimberle]

I would write a firm letter to your dentist. I would let them know that if they insist of persuing this "claim" they will lose you and your family as clients.

 

[rascalmom]

My dh is a dentist & I have worked on and off in his office for years handling insurance and billing. It's my understanding that the dental office has charged you the stop payment fee? I've never, ever, ever heard of that!

I'm guessing that their bank must have charged them a fee, but you are absolutely right - very poor customer service on the part of the ins co & the dental office. As for the dental office processing the check, I think most do that so that the records stay straight with the ins co and then the dentist reimburses the patient. (We call the patient and let them know what is going on & to look for our check. The patient gets the money faster that if the dentist sent the check back to the insurance co & asked them to reissue to the patient.)

So sorry for your frustrations, you would be amazed at the number of errors we see ins co's make. I agree that it might help to contact your HR office and see if they are willing to speak to the ins co. Whomever actually pays the premium to the ins co is likely to get the most attention. Good luck!

 

[tiggersmom2]

My dad is a dentist and I am his dental hygienist, I have never heard of a problem like this. We frequently recieve checks from the insurance company that should have gone to the subscriber. We deposit these checks and then reimburse the patient.

I definately see this as the insurance company's error and they should correct it.