I'm pretty poor so this may seem silly and "who cares" to a lot of you but it's a simi-big deal to me in my current situation.
My husband and I went to a new dentist last month. We're young and poor so I asked the receptionist how much the cleanings would cost us before making the appointment. She told me that since it's a preventive action, it is paid fullly by our insurance. After the appointment, again I asked if we needed to pay anything. The lady said again that it is paid for by insurance.
We now have bills from Regence that reads:
Medical Care 3/14/09 (our cleanings)
Billed Charges: $128
Eligible Charges: $111.40
Amount Payable to Provider: $91.40
Your responsibility: $20
I had to go in for a follow up appointment to recieve two fillings. I recieved a bill from Humana that shows:
Charge: $315
Est. Memeber responsibilty: $117.60
Amount paid by humana: $113.40
Today I recieved a bill from my dentist for $280. It shows:
DMD3:Comp oral eval-new/estab pat: Laura $40.00
HYGN:Bitewings-four films: Laura $43.00
HGYN:Prophylaxis-adult: Laura $60
HGYN:Topical Fluoride Varnish: Laura $20
DMD3:Comp oral eval-new/estab pat: Gary $40.00
HYGN:Intaoral-comlete series: Gary $90.00
HGYN:Prophylaxis-adult: Gary $60
HGYN:Topical Fluoride Varnish: Gary $20
Insurance paid:$136.00
Amount due: $74.00 (that is just for the cleanings!)
(following is showing charges for fillings)
DMD3: REs.4 Sur. Post. Prim. or Perm. Laura $165.00
DMD3: REs.3 Sur. Post. Prim. or Perm. Laura $150.00
Insurance paid:$113.40
Amount due: $84.00
I'm not understanding why I'm paying all three parties for my "responsible amounts". I might just be overlooking something... but it seems like I'm paying more than I was supposed to.
And why am I being billed for cleanings TWICE when I was told it was paid for by insurance??
I'm also noticing that it appears that the dentist is showing that the cleanings cost $210 but from Regence its showing that the cleanings toal cost was $128...
I'd really appriciate any input!

