Financial Matters
It is most important to us that every patient is completely informed not only of the treatment to be rendered in our office but also of the financial investment for that treatment. The fee necessary to complete a particular treatment plan is based on an estimate derived from your examination. Should additional unforeseen problems arise as treatment progresses, this estimate may have to be revised. You will be consulted and informed before any unexpected treatment is undertaken. For our new patient, and those involved in extensive treatment, specific financial arrangements are usually discussed as part of a separate consultation visit. For those patients with limited (1-2 visits) treatment, it will be expected that payment be made in full on the day of service. Please advise our staff if financial arrangements are necessary. We have many financial solutions to assure our patients receive the best care possible. Long term financing is available to our patients through our participation with CareCredit.
For your convenience the following methods of payment are available in our office: cash, personal checks, American Express, Visa, Master Card and Discover Card.
INTEREST AND LATE CHARGES
Please note that a late charge of 1.5% per month (18% annual percentage rate) will be applied to all delinquent accounts over 60 days. For those patients whose financial arrangements include assignment of insurance benefits to our office, this charge will be applied only to the patient’s portion of the balance.
RETURNED CHECKS
There will be a $35.00 handling fee, in addition to any bank charges for any returned checks.
Dental Insurance
Many of our patients and their families are covered by a dental insurance plan. This is a valuable way to help pay for dental care. We feel it is important for all of us, however, to understand that professional services are rendered to a person and not to an insurance company. We do not allow insurance plans to dictate what we feel is best treatment for our patients. We always offer options and will work within the scope of your plan when appropriate. At present we accept Delta Dental of RI as well as Blue Cross of RI.
It is our usual custom to render treatment on a fee for service basis only and request that insurance benefits are assigned directly to our office. All patients are asked to pay their uncovered percentage at the time of the visit. Claims are submitted promptly after treatment is rendered, and if not paid by the insurance company by the 61st day after treatment, they will be billed in full to the patient.
Because we believe in providing the highest quality service available, we do not participate contractually in any particular HMO, DMO or other managed care plan. In our experience, contractual arrangements with these plans consistently limit the range, amount, quality and frequency of care we would be allowed to provide. We are totally responsible to you alone and choose not to have any insurance company employee attempt to provide a diagnosis or treatment plan without having examined you.
We are happy to assist you in every way we can to insure that your claims are processed smoothly and efficiently. By using electronic claims transmission, your dental claims are submitted the same day of service and benefits are often paid within a few days. We also assist in handling insurance inquiries, processing follow-ups, lost claims, etc.
Please provide our staff with a completed form and benefits booklet so that accurate information can be entered into your computer file. This enables us to process your claims in an efficient and timely manner.
Our staff prides itself on helping our patients maximize their benefits and we are always available for your questions. We are here to help. No question is too small for you to ask us whether it be regarding treatment, insurance or a bill. We ask that you call or come by anytime you have a question.