Recommendations for a good, affordable dentist (Arlington, McLean: insurance, maintenance, costs)

[Tarheelhombre]

Anyone have any recommendations for a good, affordable honest dentist?

[KnownUnknown]

Location? Insurance?

[Tarheelhombre]

Yes, I have GEHA. Arlington

[KnownUnknown]

Well, my suggestion is to simply go onto your insurance site, do a search for dentist in the area that are in network, and then look them up on yelp.

[LuvVA]

Isn't the affordable care act supposed to be affordable?

As long as the dentist is within your insurance network, you are good then.

[Tarheelhombre]

But that is not what I am asking. Dentists charge differently for the same procedures. Insurance only covers a half or less of major procedures, so my desire is to find the cheapest, most competent dentist.

[Flamingo13]

Nobody can tell you that - call participating dentists IN YOUR Plan and ask about costs for whatever procedure you are apparently shopping around for.

[Carlingtonian]

I have GEHA high option and GEHA dental. Never had to pay a cent for routine maintenance. I use Dr. John Schehl in McLean; he seems to be good (far as I can tell), and parking is easy. Only frustration is that I don't get their appointment reminders anymore. I used to get maybe 2 emails and 2 texts, and now nothing. But other than that, no complaints.

Re. charges: The carrier has pre-set negotiated charges with dentists who are in the network. Doesn't matter what their requested charge is; it gets changed to the negotiated charge, and that's what GEHA pays them. Or whichever insurance. For one to then go to you and ask for the difference ("balance billing") is illegal and defeats the whole purpose of their agreement with the insurance company.

So while your costs might vary from plan to plan, it should not from dentist to dentist on the same plan, long as they're in network (even if their requested charges, paid only by patients without insurance or patients whose insurance that dentist is not in the network of, are different).

[Tarheelhombre]

Thanks Carlingtonian for responding with what I was seeking. Actual testimonials of reasonable good dentists.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by Tarheelhombre

Thanks Carlingtonian for responding with what I was seeking. Actual testimonials of reasonable good dentists.

You're welcome--but let me caution that I don't recall what his actual charges are, since he's in network for me.