To help you prepare for your visit, we have provided information about our financial policies. We are participating providers for the following:
We base the patient portion of your bill on our most current data provided by your insurance company. There are several factors that can affect this estimate. Insurance companies do not inform us of any changes to your benefits. We do, however, investigate your benefits as thoroughly as possible.
While insurance can be a nice supplement to help cover the fee for your dental services, we understand that not all patients have traditional dental insurance. There are many other financing options available to you. We want you to receive the quality care you deserve.
Apply for CareCredit online and see if this option fits your needs.
Following are common questions about insurance payments. If you would like further assistance, please give us a call; we are here to help.
My insurance company did not pay, now what?
Dental insurance is nothing more than a contract between your employer and the insurance company to partially pay for certain services. These dental procedures are not based on need; rather, they are determined by the agreement made by your company. It is a well-known fact, within the industry, that a higher premium paid by the employer will get you, the patient, a higher “usual customary and reasonable (UCR)” fee schedule.
Our fees are set by the actual costs of doing business in this office. Obviously, costs can vary from office to office depending on the quality of service, material used, lab fees and many other factors. We have diagnostic equipment, sterilization procedures, and restorative services that are state-of-the-art. Our fees reflect the quality of service and the care our team is proud of.
I thought I paid my portion, but I got a bill. Why?
We base the patient portion of you bill on our most current data provided by your insurance company. There are several factors that can affect this estimate. For example, there may be a deductible, or you may have received treatment in another office prior to joining our office. Insurance companies do not inform us of benefits paid to other providers. The amount collected is a minimum estimate to help cover your co-payment.
What is UCR?
An often misunderstood term used by many insurance companies is “UCR.” This stands for “usual customary and reasonable.” This is an arbitrary fee ceiling set by the insurance company, based on the premium agreed to by an employer, at which reimbursement amounts are restricted. The allowances for this arbitrary ceiling are not available to providers, making exact copayments impossible. Despite our best efforts at giving you an accurate estimate, the patient is responsible for this difference. Again, this has nothing to do with the fee charged, but rather with the level of coverage negotiated between your employer and the insurance company.
If you have any questions about our insurance options, please don’t hesitate to call us. We are happy to assist you!