What if your dentist give you unnecessary treatment? (xray, tooth, doctor)

[hhe1982]

My husband went to a dentist to do deep cleaning last month. And today we got benefits statement from insurance company. The patient payment amount shown on the statement is a lot less than what he paid for the treatment.
I went through the treatment plan, I found there are two items are not coverred by insurance company at all. So what should we do?
Why every dentists I ever had are either dishonest, or always try to coax me to do something totally unnecessary!

[Ynot]

Originally Posted by hhe1982

My husband went to a dentist to do deep cleaning last month. And today we got benefits statement from insurance company. The patient payment amount shown on the statement is a lot less than what he paid for the treatment.
I went through the treatment plan, I found there are two items are not coverred by insurance company at all. So what should we do?
Why every dentists I ever had are either dishonest, or always try to coax me to do something totally unnecessary!

I'm a little confused. If your husband paid more than what was indicated on the insurance benefit claim, then I hope you paid with a check or credit card, so that you can prove what he paid at the dentist's office.

If you can prove your payment, definitely contact your insurance company. If the dentist's office put the wrong payment in, by all means contact them to rectify the error.

If the dentist performed some procedure that was not covered, you are probably stuck with that payment.

It's important to ask questions before anything to make sure that you and the dentist/doctor are on the same page. This should be done before the scheduled appointment time, where you advise them which insurance you are using and then receive an estimate of costs to be covered by you. Also a good thing to call your insurance and see what they will and will not cover. Unfortunately, if the work is done without this knowledge, you're the one stuck with the bill.

I'm sure there are some dentists and doctors who "pad" the procedures to boost income. If you don't like the way your dentist in this case performed, check with friends or family to see if they have a dentist to refer. Call the referred dentist's office and check to see what insurance is accepted.

I had a dentist a couple of years back, who I thought was good at the time, actually try to convince me to extract all my wisdom teeth (expensive!) when none were bothering me--just to be "safe." About a year ago one wisdom tooth started to give me trouble, so I wanted all of them removed. (Different area, different dentist now) I was told they DON'T pull a perfectly good tooth because it's a wisdom tooth, and that they would only pull the bad wisdom tooth. I'm glad I didn't give in to the previous dentist's claim to pull before they turn bad.

Whether a dentist or doctor, remember ask questions and get answers that you can understand, don't be intimidated by the white coat.

Good luck to you.

[ACTS Mom]

Originally Posted by hhe1982

My husband went to a dentist to do deep cleaning last month. And today we got benefits statement from insurance company. The patient payment amount shown on the statement is a lot less than what he paid for the treatment.
I went through the treatment plan, I found there are two items are not coverred by insurance company at all. So what should we do?
Why every dentists I ever had are either dishonest, or always try to coax me to do something totally unnecessary!

I recently went to a new dentist since my old one is 45 miles away. I've been 2x now and they absolutely tick me off with all their sales pitches. Everything from new $99 toothbrushes to $500 nightguards to at least $800 crown for a tooth he says is cracked. Funny thing. I was going to my old dentist every 4-6 months for almost 20 years, xrays and all, and nothing was ever said about my tooth being cracked. I flat do not believe it and I'll never pay that much for a nightguard that I DO NOT need. I don't grind my teeth but am losing some enamel (well, bonding actually that had been put on by my old dentist when my tooth chipped).

They are getting to be more like used car salesmen than medical professionals. And you and I are not the only ones to notice this. Plus I don't even have dental insurance so they know they'd have cash up front with me. I will not go back to this one.

And unless the doctor (or staff) discussed all the procedures and costs with your husband, there's a big problem in the communication. But since what's done is done, you're likely liable for anything the insurance company does not allow. Your husband should have been made aware of this before having the procedure.