Financial Policy

Thank you for choosing our office for your child’s dental needs.  Regular dental care is necessary to maintain a child’s medical and psychological well-being.  We are committed to providing your child with the highest quality dental care, so that your child may attain optimum oral health.  We have outlined our financial policy for your benefit and understanding and in an effort to eliminate confusion or misunderstanding.  We do our absolute best to help you understand and estimate your insurance benefits.  Please note that treatment plans change on occasion during the course of treatment because conditions can worsen or improve and can therefore change your financial responsibility in either direction.  We are always available to answer your questions and/or assist you in any way we can.

Patients Without Dental Insurance

Fees are due and payable at the time treatment is rendered if you do not have insurance coverage.  We accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, and Discover).

Patients With Dental Insurance

As a courtesy, our office will verify your insurance with your insurance carrier so long as you provide us with your up-to-date and correct insurance information no less than 2 business days before your child’s appointment.  Our software system then estimates what your insurance will pay.  We will then take the time to file the necessary forms to help you receive full benefits of your coverage.  Your portion of fees, including fees that are paid directly to you by your insurance company, will be due at the time of service.  Keep in mind all insurance companies include a disclaimer stating verification does not guarantee payment.  Insurance coverage is subject to limitations, exclusions, waiting periods, frequency, age restrictions, deductibles and maximums that are your responsibility.  Please contact your insurance company for a detail of your benefits.

Due to the number of insurance plans, it is impossible for us to know them all.  Each insurance plan is unique in what services they will allow.  Furthermore, insurance is an agreement between you and your carrier.  We must emphasize that as your dental care provider, our relationship is with you and our patient, not with your insurance company.  If we do not receive your insurance information from you in the time frame stated above, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to properly estimate your portion for services rendered, resulting in a higher copayment of time of service.  If the insurance company reimburses us in an amount greater than estimated, that amount will be reimbursed to you or kept as a credit on your account.  We will cooperate fully with the regulations and requests of your insurance company that may assist in the claim being paid. Our office will not, however, enter into a dispute with your insurance company over any claim.

Payment Options

Prepayment Courtesy:  We are happy to offer a 5% courtesy discount for all treatment over $500 that is paid in full with cash or a check prior to the time of service.  This discount cannot be combined with other discounts, credit card payments, or insurance plans.

Payment as Services are Rendered:  Your copay is due at the time services are rendered.  Because your insurance company makes no guarantee of payment, we cannot always guarantee your exact insurance coverage.  Therefore, you may receive a statement with an additional balance after your insurance has met their obligation.  We ask that your portion be paid at the time of service or within 15 days of receiving such statement.  We also realize that some families are in a state of change and on occasion the question of who is responsible for the bill is uncertain.  Ultimately, the parent who requests dental services will be responsible for the fees incurred.

Interest-Free Credit Line:  Should you be interested in a payment plan, our office utilizes CareCredit and can charge your balance to CareCredit for 6 or 12 months interest free on treatments plans in excess of $200.  CareCredit also offers 24, 36, 48 and 60 month payment plans with competitive rates and no pre-payment penalty.  We require that you complete a CareCredit application and be approved for a line of credit at the onset of your treatment.  Please ask for more information about Care Credit.

Outstanding Balances:  Because we do not want to cause any further unnecessary financial burdens to families with balances, it is our policy that any outstanding copays be paid in full.  A finance charge may be assessed and appear on your statement once your account is deemed delinquent.  Delinquent accounts may be turned over to a collection agency after 90 days, which may adversely affect your credit rating.

Other Details of our Financial Policy:  A fee may be applied to your account for each broken appointment with less than 2 business days notice, except in case of illness or true family emergency.  A $35 charge will be made for any returned checks.