Dental Bill Higher Than Expected Due to Use of White Fillings
My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Alaska
I went to a preferred provider dentist for a routine exam/cleaning. The dentist recommended 3 fillings on my back teeth. They ran my insurance information, and gave me a written estimate of costs and coverage. I checked it, and everything appeared to be accurate and in order: It listed 3 fillings, 80% covered by my insurance (correct) and 20% I had to pay out of pocket (also correct). I agreed to have the work done the next week.
The next week I got the fillings done, only to look in the mirror afterwards and see that they had used white fillings. The dentist had never asked or even informed me that white fillings were to be used. The written estimate does not indicate that white fillings were to be used, either. Because they used white fillings on back teeth (considered an "upgrade" by insurance) the insurance coverage is less than 50% and my out of pocket portion skyrocketed from $238 to over $600. I politely called their office several times to try to address the fact that this material was used without my consent or knowledge. Their office manager falsely claimed that only military dentists use standard amalgam fillings, and refused to work with me at all on the additional charges incurred by the material they used without my consent. The only communication they will have with me is to send me a bill for the additional amount of almost $400 on top of what I was quoted and paid ($238). I would have gone to a different dentist if I had known they intended to use those white fillings that are covered at a much lower rate.
I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General of Alaska regarding the omission of crucial information when the dentist office quoted me for the fillings. Both complaints were accepted and sent to the dental office, but they chose not to respond to either of them.
I am aware that it is my responsibility to know what my insurance covers, but my issue here is that the dentist omitted a crucial detail about the work that was to be done. If it was not for that omission (that white fillings were to be used) I would have had the work done elsewhere at a dentist office that offered standard amalgam fillings.
Do I have a case if I take this to small claims court? Or am I best off to just eat the extra $400? The work was done about 5 weeks ago and I do not want this to hurt my credit score (if the dentist sends the additional charges to collection).
Thank you in advance for any information and/or advice.
- Matt
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
It is your job to verify insurance coverage before a covered activity.
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
Quote:
Quoting
Disagreeable
It is your job to verify insurance coverage before a covered activity.
Right. But everything on the written estimate appeared as though they were going to use standard fillings, and that's the coverage that I checked and was accurate regarding coverage rates. The fact that they actually used white fillings without any kind of informing/consent doesn't matter?
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
Did you ask beforehand about the procedure and the material?
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
Quote:
Quoting
Dogmatique
Did you ask beforehand about the procedure and the material?
No. I was sent straight from the exam to the front desk and immediately given the written estimate of work to be done. It appeared very straightforward, listing 3 "fillings", the cost, 80% insurance coverage, and my 20% out of pocket cost ($238). Had there been anything indicating that white fillings were to be used, I would have investigated it and realized that the estimate was not even close to accurate.
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
I don't think you're going to win this one. You can try to negotiate some kind of deal with the dentist, but outside of that I cannot see a court rewarding your mistakes.
Re: Dentist Omitted Crucial Info, Bill Almost Tripled:
Quote:
Quoting
Dogmatique
I don't think you're going to win this one. You can try to negotiate some kind of deal with the dentist, but outside of that I cannot see a court rewarding your mistakes.
Bummer. I tried to negotiate something with the office manager, but she was pretty rude and wouldn't entertain the idea.
Thanks for the response, anyways. I still think it's a shady bait-and-switch strategy by the dentist (give out a low estimate that appears to be a standard amalgam filling, only to actually use white fillings that cost the patient much more.) I've never had a problem with a dentist or medical professional like this before, but I guess lesson learned... always get a pre-determination to protect yourself from a bait-and-switch practice.
Thanks,
Matt.