Financial Arrangements

No one likes surprises when it comes to cost. That is why we have established the following policies, so that you will be informed of the costs associated with your treatment prior to beginning your treatment. There are certainly instances when circumstances are beyond our control and additional costs may be incurred, but we do our best to diagnose all possible scenarios and keep you informed.

We ask that all clients coming into our practice as a new patient pay for their initial exam and x-rays at the time of treatment. At this time, we will then review the recommended treatment plan with you and its projected cost. This gives you the time to make any necessary financial arrangements before we begin your treatment. Our treatment coordinators are available to discuss financial arrangements and select the method of payment that best meets your need.

Time and Method of Payment

Unless prior arrangements have been made, full payment is due at the time of service. For larger cosmetic cases, payment is due prior to the commencement of the case. We accept payment in cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover Card.

Extended Payment Options

For larger courses of treatment, our office partners with several financial service companies to provide you a range of financing options. These options are subject to prior credit approval. Here are some of the features:

• 100% financing available for dental treatment up to $25,000.
• No application fees
• No down payment
• 90 days same as cash option
• Low monthly payments that you select to fit your budget needs
• Fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments
• No prepayment penalties
• An application process that is completely confidential and can take as little as 15 minutes.

Just think, you can be approved and on your way to a more beautiful smile in as little as 15 minutes! Our staff is happy to provide you with additional information and answer your questions about these opportunities.

Dental Insurance

Many of our clients are covered by some sort of dental insurance through their employers. The coverage provided by your dental insurance can vary widely and is dependent on the type of contract worked out between your employer and the insurance company. In most instances, insurance companies will cover routine exams, x-rays, cleanings and one or two small procedures before the yearly maximum is reached. This stated yearly maximum has not increased in nearly 30 years, and still remains in the $1000-2000 range.

You must check your insurance booklet closely to see what percentage of treatment your insurance will cover. Again, a range of 50-100% may be stated. In reality, this may not be true, especially if your insurance pays to what it calls "usual and customary" fees. Insurance companies use their own "secret" formula to determine what they call "usual and customary ". This fee is usually far below the actual and real charges that dentists in a geographical area charge for a procedure.

Finally, insurance companies do not pay for such procedures as cosmetic dentistry, amalgam removals or cavitation surgeries, to name a few. Typically they pay for the most inexpensive treatment available that just meets the standards of care established by each state. In some cases, certain elective or cosmetic procedures are considered preventive, functional or of medical/dental necessity. In these instances, coverage may or may not be a benefit offered by your dental insurance.

To make the insurance process as simple as possible for all of us, our office has established the following policies:

• When it is an option, our office will accept insurance for routine exams, x-rays and cleanings for our established patients.
• For all other treatment, payment is expected at the time service is rendered.
• Your insurance company will reimburse you directly.
• We will assist our clients in every way possible so that they may receive timely reimbursement of insurance benefits by providing detailed statements for filing with insurance companies.
• We do not participate as a preferred provider in any insurance company plan. Our obligation is to you, not to an insurance company. We reserve the right to diagnose according to what you need, not according to what your insurance company will pay for, maintaining the highest possible standards of care. It is always your right to accept or reject any treatment that we offer for your own reasons. But it needs to be your decision, not your insurance company's decision.