Dental Office--Ventish

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Back a few months ago, we took our son in to get some cavities filled. Well, we got pre-approval for the procedure from our insurance company and happily paid the co-pay. A couple months later, we get a bill for another $200. I call, asking what the heck?, and am told that the insurer did not cover the filling material. Well, I knew the insurer only covered amalgam, so that is what I AUTHORIZED the dentist to use. Only to be told months after the fact that the dentist does NOT USE amalgam. I only wish I'd been clearly told beforehand so we could have decided to pay it or go somewhere else. Now I've got to find another dentist! I refuse to go back. They probably don't use the amalgam so that they can turn around and get more money from the families. What if we didn't have $200 lying around! And, that money could have gotten put to better use (such as baby stuff--I just got rid of everything right before I found out I was preggers again)

(no comments about mercury in amalgam--I'm aware of it)

[HarperRose]

Ok, I totally understand being upset over this. It's really unacceptable to ok one thing then you turn around and have to deal w/ a bill you didn't expect.

But I'm having a hard time w/ sympathy because I just dropped 5K on my mouth and have to drop another $1600 on my son's mouth and another unknown amount on my daughter's mouth.

Money I really do NOT have. We are in debt for our mouths.

$200. is small potatoes. And to avoid amalgam? $200. is small potatoes.

Babies don't need "stuff" either. Really. A stroller (I'm a big stroller user), a saucer thingie, a sling/moby/carrier, and plenty of loving will do. ETA: And a car seat.

[kangaroomum25]

I can't help it, I think it's 200 dollars well spent. Babys dont need "stuff"

[ChattyCat]

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a dentist that uses amalgam any more. Yet, the insurance companies continue to only pay for the amalgam not the resin. I don't think it was consciously done by the dentist to screw you out of more money.

[jocelyndale]

Some dentists don't use amalgam because *they* don't want the mercury exposure.

I can't use amalgam myself. My dentist doesn't use it at all. My insurance company pays for an amalgam filling and I am charged the difference in materials cost. My dentist is very fair about his prices, though, so I don't complain overly much.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Originally Posted by kangaroomum25

I can't help it, I think it's 200 dollars well spent. Babys dont need "stuff"

But, I still need to buy, at minimum, if it isn't given to me: a good double-electric breastpump (I WOHM) and bottles, a carseat, a pack-n-play, clothes, diapers, and a swing/bouncy chair for the baby. As well as a double stroller--all we have is an old $9 umbrella stroller that my son uses.

And my main issue really was the being told after the fact.

And I need braces--which I can't afford or even get if I could afford it. And it looks like my daughter might, so she has higher priority on the orthodontic issues. And she needs dental work done, anyhow.

[kangaroomum25]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

But, I still need to buy, at minimum, if it isn't given to me: a good double-electric breastpump (I WOHM) and bottles, a carseat, a pack-n-play, clothes, diapers, and a swing/bouncy chair for the baby. As well as a double stroller--all we have is an old $9 umbrella stroller that my son uses.

And my main issue really was the being told after the fact.

I definetly don't blame you for being upset after the fact. It was wrong. Did you call the dentist office and complain? The insurance company? Try not to worry about the baby stuff too much. A lot of that stuff (clothes, swing, stroller) you can find in really good shape at garage sales. You might even try asking on freecycle if you feel comfortable with that.

[EviesMom]

No advice on the dental work, just hugs. I had dental work done today, but we get reimbursed a percentage regardless of filling type, etc. up to a yearly maximum. I love this insurance because we can also go to any dentist we like.

But on the baby stuff... Do you need a Medela Pump in Style? DS would never take bottles and I WAH now anyway so I have no need of mine. I bought before DD was born in 2004, but I used it maybe 6 months for her and very rarely for DS. Seems to be in good shape. Send me a PM if you would like it.

[crittersmom]

I had that happen to me a couple of years ago.I found a dentist that was supposed to be covered by my insurance ( I even called my insurance) got some stuff done, some of it the dentist just did it and told me after the fact.We got a 400 bill after the fact too.We didn't have the money but we were lucky enough to be able to ask for help from a military charity who covered the bill and then let us pay them back at 10 a month.
I know how you feel,I found out I was halfway through my last pregnancy and after I had given away pretty much most of the baby stuff.It somehow sorts itself out though.(((hugs)))

[HarperRose]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

And my main issue really was the being told after the fact.

Yeah, that would irritate me.

And I need braces--which I can't afford or even get if I could afford it. And it looks like my daughter might, so she has higher priority on the orthodontic issues. And she needs dental work done, anyhow.

Sigh. I hear that.

[Purple*Lotus]

I am sorry this happened to you I totally get you on the $200. It might not be any money at all to some people, but for my family right now, it might as well be a million dollars, so I feel your pain

[texmati]

I hate when doctor's offices do stuff like that. They should have told you before hand... it's a switch and bait. I would complain, and make them eat it.

Only in the medical profession can you get away with doing something like that, and have people tell you that it was for your own good.

[annethcz]

That is a tough situation. It is incredibly frustrating to have the charges show up after the fact. I will agree with a PPer that the dentist probably wasn't trying to cheat you out of the money- there are more and more dentists who don't use amalgam at all because of health concern for themselves, their staff and their patients.

[llamalluv]

Originally Posted by aquarian

I hate when doctor's offices do stuff like that. They should have told you before hand... it's a switch and bait. I would complain, and make them eat it.

Only in the medical profession can you get away with doing something like that, and have people tell you that it was for your own good.

I think you mean bait and switch.

And I wouldn't blame the doctor. It's not the doctor who is responsible for calling the insurance company to verify what will be paid for and what will not. It's the responsibility of the person who will have to pay for the mistake.

Most of the time, the doctor never even contacts the insurance company - an office staff member just enters stuff into the computer. If she enters the wrong code, the claim may not get paid (at best) or they could lose their license for fraud (in an extreme case).

Pharmacists have their hands tied when it comes to prescription prices, too. I know one fellow that wrote about a customer who has to pay for Imitrex out of pocket, and the price has suddenly gone up (due to a new similar drug called Treximet by the same company). This comment was a part of a rant about the unethical advertising practices, and several people asked to help her in some way by Paypal-ing some cash. He can't accept the help for her, because it is a violation of their contracts to give a discount on drugs to some customers - even though this isn't a discount.

[monkeys4mama]

Debates over mercury aside, I completely understand your anger over not bein told ahead of time or given an option. You may have chosen to pay the extra for the filling if you had known, but when you don't know, then you don't expect the expense and you haven't planned for it. Some have said that $200 is small potatoes, and perhaps it is. But when you haven't budgeted for the $200, then it's a pretty hefty slap in the face. So sorry that happened.

I think it's important for you to send a letter to the dentist explaining why you are upset about this. My dentist's office clearly lays out the costs before proceeding with anything and has you sign a form permitting them to go ahead with whatever. Even when your insurance totally covers it, they still review the charges with you and obtain your signature. I just had a cracked filling replaced last week and my insurance did cover the resin replacement 100%, but they checked with my insurance company first and reviewed it with me. When one of my kids needed a filling, the filling was covered, but the insurance didn't pay for nitrous oxide. They asked if we wanted it and we signed the permission, with the understanding that we would pay the extra $25 out of pocket.

I recommend that you write a letter, making it polite but very clear and firm as to what you are upset about and how you feel they should change their practices so that patients do not have to go through this same experience in the future. And make them aware that you are changing practices due to this. Sometimes, dental offices will write off charges as well, if they feel you have a legitimate claim. Be sure to conduct yourself calmly, maturely and assertively. That will give you the best chance of a satisfactory resolution. If you come off as pissed and nasty, they'll ignore you. But project enough strength to be taken seriouisly.

Good luck.

[monkeys4mama]

Getting back to the original 'what have you done' question...

I gave my credit cards over to dh yesterday. I have been way overspending and I don't keep track of what I buy or how much the totals are adding up to. I have become way, way too careless and am nickel-and-diming us to death along with making too many large purchases too. Dh asked me to surrender the cards and I thought it was a good idea. I had actually suggested it last month and then decided it was too inconvenient. But I know that credit cards are too easy to overspend with b/c you don't keep a running total. And I am absolutely awful at keeping track and also awful about buying impulsively. And a lot of the time, it's stuff I think is needed or justified, and yet, in retrospect, maybe it wasn't and if I had been more conscientious about reviewing the purchase I would have seen it was not needed after all.

So giving up credit cards was the big step this month.

I am also going to sew some pants for dd today. She needs a few pairs of simple, pull-on knit pants. I can sew those. I have plenty of fabric. Now to dig through the fabric stash and locate the right fabrics and pattern and get busy... If I sew three pairs, it will save about $30-60, depending what I found at the mall. Plus I might as well assume that I'll save another unknown sum since I rarely leave the mall without at least one other "must-have" purchase.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

But, I still need to buy, at minimum, if it isn't given to me: a good double-electric breastpump (I WOHM) and bottles, a carseat, a pack-n-play, clothes, diapers, and a swing/bouncy chair for the baby. As well as a double stroller--all we have is an old $9 umbrella stroller that my son uses.

And my main issue really was the being told after the fact.

And I need braces--which I can't afford or even get if I could afford it. And it looks like my daughter might, so she has higher priority on the orthodontic issues. And she needs dental work done, anyhow.

Check your medical insurance. You might be able to get a breast pump for free if your doctor requests it for you. That's what I did. Never paid a penny.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by aquarian

I hate when doctor's offices do stuff like that. They should have told you before hand... it's a switch and bait. I would complain, and make them eat it.

Only in the medical profession can you get away with doing something like that, and have people tell you that it was for your own good.

Yeah, I've had the same thing happen to me before too. It sucks to have an unexpected medial expense come up. s

[laohaire]

Originally Posted by monkeys4mama

I recommend that you write a letter, making it polite but very clear and firm as to what you are upset about and how you feel they should change their practices so that patients do not have to go through this same experience in the future. And make them aware that you are changing practices due to this. Sometimes, dental offices will write off charges as well, if they feel you have a legitimate claim. Be sure to conduct yourself calmly, maturely and assertively. That will give you the best chance of a satisfactory resolution. If you come off as pissed and nasty, they'll ignore you. But project enough strength to be taken seriouisly.

I think this is very good advice. Though I don't agree with your (meaing the OP's) position on amalgam, that's not my business - and if you had specifically asked for amalgam fillings and they went ahead and used composites, that was unprofessional of them.

And I find it hard to believe that some people would pooh-pooh you finding $200 hard to scrape up. My family is in pretty good shape and even so, I'm considering cancelling an upcoming dentist appt (estimated to cost $210) just because things are so tight right now. We "have" the $210 but not a lot more than that, and it won't be easy to replace.

Anyway, I think a letter is a good idea, and it is indeed critical to ensure the tone is professional and not nasty. Professional, legitimate, well-reasoned complaints are likely to be taken seriously. I don't know if I'd count on them writing off the whole charge - that would be very very generous - but they should certainly work with you on this in some fashion.

When making complaints, I personally get better results when I make my case and then ask them what can be done to rectify the situation - instead of making specific demands (unless my specific demand is just really obvious and extremely reasonable). When the company/practice can decide for themselves how to compensate you, they are sometimes more generous than you would expect. (But I again would not EXPECT them to write off all your charges - but then again, you never know).

And if they respond reasonbly, I would thank them with my continued business. Companies make mistakes. You want to go with the one that acts professionally about it.

[earthmama369]

Just because someone else has had to come up with more money for dental work doesn't change the fact that coming up with an unexpected $200 -- especially at this time of year -- can be a real problem.

Whatever your decision on amalgam, it sounds like you specifically authorized a certain filling type with your dentist. That's exactly when they should have spoken up and said if they didn't use that kind of filling anymore. To use something else and then bill you for it later, all without informing you, is poor business practice. I would express this to them and see what they can do for you. Aside from losing your business, they risk losing the potential business of anyone you tell about what happened. They should *at least* be willing to work out a payment plan, if they don't absorb some of the fee themselves.