Dental Insurance

It's great that you have dental insurance to help you and your family with the cost of dental care.  As one of our services, we will see to it that you maximize use of these benefits.

Do you accept my insurance?  How much do they pay?
We accept most insurance plans that don't require you to select a dentist from a list (managed care dentist).  Although we maintain computer records of insurance company payments, these often do change.  In some cases the company even withholds information about their payment rates.  Thus, it's impossible to give you an exact quote as to how well they will reimburse.  We can only estimate your portion based on the most up-to-date information we have, but it is only an estimate.

Will you bill my insurance?
Our office wants to see you get the fullest use of your dental benefits and as a courtesy we will fill out your claim forms and bill the primary insurance company.  However, we request payment for your estimated portion at the time of service.  On occasion, despite our best estimates, the insurance company reimburses less than expected.  In this case you are responsible for the balance.  There are several methods of payment in this case.  Please feel free to ask Peggy about payment options.

Facts About Managed Care Dentistry
Every dentist is solicited numerous times a year to join managed care plans.  The only requirement to join is that the doctor agrees to reduce fees at least 40-60%.  In order to make up for lost revenues the office (or the corporations they serve) must cut corners.  This can be done by cramming more patients into a schedule or using the cheapest materials, laboratories or even sterilization procedures.  Anyway you look at it the patient is the net loser.

We feel this is not a good way to practice a professions such as dentistry.  Obviously, sacrificing quality, service and personal attention run contrary to our mission.  Interestingly, we have found that offices which are enrolled in these programs have difficulty retaining their doctors and staff, or the office only stays in the program for a short while.