- 7,400
I wondered if there are any consumer accessible websites that list reasonable and customary charges for dental service codes by geographic areas (Kansas is my interest) that can be accessed by consumers.
That's my question. Reasons are below in more detail, but not necessary to read to know my basic question.
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My dentist is retiring, which leaves me with two financial issues. He has moved his files, and some of his staff who wanted to continue working, to an established multidentist practice. The practice took on a new graduate to deal with the client influx from my retiring dentist.
The first problem, for me, is that this "new" dentist office charges more for all procedures than my old dentist.
For example, after my first visit to the new dentist, I find I need 3 fillings at a cost of $30-$35 more apiece than the old dentist charged, before any insurance adjustment.
The second is a "new" wrinkle to me in dental pricing. The new dentist office has a fee for a dental code--period. They will file insurance for the patient, but they will not write the charge down to the insurance "allowed" amount. The patient remains responsible for the balance, so that the dental provider receives their full payment. For the last 30 years I have been used to the concept of having Dental Insurance, using an In-Network provider and having my financial obligation reduced to the insurance company's reasonable or allowed charge. Apparently no-longer.
There are several dentists officing fairly close to my home. Some of them have rather nebulous language on their websites, but after careful reading, I think most of them follow the same practice of holding the patient responsible for the full charge billed by the office. That appears to be a current dental "revenue enhancement" process.
The only idea I can come up with for "cost control" is that I am going to have to drive around to a few of these offices with a list of a half a dozen codes for semi annual services and simple fillings that I use regularly, find out whether they expect full payment of their billed charge when the patient has insurance, and get their prices for those services I use regularly.
Which takes me back to the question I asked-I would just like an external point of reference for the process.
That's my question. Reasons are below in more detail, but not necessary to read to know my basic question.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My dentist is retiring, which leaves me with two financial issues. He has moved his files, and some of his staff who wanted to continue working, to an established multidentist practice. The practice took on a new graduate to deal with the client influx from my retiring dentist.
The first problem, for me, is that this "new" dentist office charges more for all procedures than my old dentist.
For example, after my first visit to the new dentist, I find I need 3 fillings at a cost of $30-$35 more apiece than the old dentist charged, before any insurance adjustment.
The second is a "new" wrinkle to me in dental pricing. The new dentist office has a fee for a dental code--period. They will file insurance for the patient, but they will not write the charge down to the insurance "allowed" amount. The patient remains responsible for the balance, so that the dental provider receives their full payment. For the last 30 years I have been used to the concept of having Dental Insurance, using an In-Network provider and having my financial obligation reduced to the insurance company's reasonable or allowed charge. Apparently no-longer.
There are several dentists officing fairly close to my home. Some of them have rather nebulous language on their websites, but after careful reading, I think most of them follow the same practice of holding the patient responsible for the full charge billed by the office. That appears to be a current dental "revenue enhancement" process.
The only idea I can come up with for "cost control" is that I am going to have to drive around to a few of these offices with a list of a half a dozen codes for semi annual services and simple fillings that I use regularly, find out whether they expect full payment of their billed charge when the patient has insurance, and get their prices for those services I use regularly.
Which takes me back to the question I asked-I would just like an external point of reference for the process.
