I had a Florida dentist pull that on us, wife and I had a cleaning, then a month later they said mine was a deep cleaning so I owe them $100 or so more, my wife’s was $15 with insurance. I paid my wife’s $15, I paid $15 for my cleaning then denied the remainder. I’d get a bill every now and then for a couple years. If you deny a bill/charge they’d have to win in court to get anything or even put it on your credit.

So if your insurance company does not cover something yes you are responsible for it. If you’re not sure about it, you should check with your insurance company before you proceed further as far as the late fee goes, there should be no late fee due to the fact that they were billing the insurance company so I would’ve paid the difference, but not paid the late fee

Insurance Commissioner
 

This was a ridiculously long time ago but I used to work for a small hospital in Incline Village NV processing insurance claims. During that time I got pregnant with my first child. About six months in the hospital changed insurance companies and in due time I had a C-section which cost $10,000. The new insurance company denied it saying my pregnancy was a pre-existing condition. Well it wasn't my fault the hospital changed insurance companies and after a YEAR of trying to get them to pay the bills I got a great tip to file a claim with the insurance commissioner. All of the bills were paid within one week after that.

It has been my experience that lot of these insurance companies will automatically deny a claim as policy.

Same thing happened when my dad had a stroke and my mom got the bills afterwards. The insurance companies denied everything even though it was an emergency and he was covered. I told her I would handle it. Bills paid.

Don't just roll over and pay the bills yourself. If you know you're covered fight for your rights.

My previous dental experience was that I was told I needed a deep cleaning. My insurance paid a portion but I had to pay around a $130. I thought that I could go back and start getting quarterly cleaning but was told I couldn't and would have to continue with the deep cleanings. I dumped them and went to Oaks Dental Care. I was able to get on a quarterly cleaning schedule and my insurance covered the whole bill. The dentist looked at my teeth and said there were a couple of areas of concerns but would just keep an eye on it for the time being. It's so refreshing to be dealing with an honest dentist. Everyone in the office is friendly and I would highly recommend them to anyone.

Respectfully, I’m not sure the dental office is responsible if your insurance company refused to pay your bill. Wondering if you contacted the insurance company before work was done, and did they approve these particular procedures, was a deductible involved etc. Apparently the dental office was turned down when they submitted the claim. Or, did they not submit the claim at all?

However, I have Never heard of a dental office charging a “late fee.” That’s a red flag right there. They aren’t a credit card company! Steer clear from them, but be absolutely certain your insurance covers your next procedure. By the way, I was really taken aback by the way some dental offices in The Villages do business. It’s all about the money. They’d give me free complete X-rays, then write up a treatment plan for thousands of dollars. So I agree, you do have to be a bit wary.

I was quoted $1,200 for deep cleaning 3 quadrants, in a 1 to 1.5 hour procedure. So, $400 per quadrant. Now, I pay about $100 for a regular cleaning.

Oh yes! I agree. I wouldn’t have paid it

My advice: get a second opinion. It's easy to "find" pockets that "need" a "deep cleaning" if that is what the business is after. Same thing happened to me on a "new patient special". Went back to my regular trusted dentist back up north and he said "no way" and laughed. There are plenty of profitable "add ons" when doing SRP. Beware. I had 40+ years in the dental industry and know how these things can work, and not in favor of your wallet.,

Prices do vary a bit. I pay $67 for a regular cleaning (prophy) and $145 for prophy, bitewings, and Dr’s exam (once per year).

It's quite common for practices to charge a "finance fee" on amounts owed.

It's typically about 18%/year and should be declared when you first enter the practice, when you sign your insurance papers...

$100, otoh, is ridiculous...

Deep Cleaning
 

Firstly I take Umbridge with the term "Periodontal DISEASE". IMHO, the dental folks use that term to frighten, or, coerce patients to agree that a deep cleaning is necessary. It is not a DISEASE, the condition is caused, in some folks, simply by the process of ageing. An analogy would be calling facial wrinkles "Wrinkle disease".
Secondly, I agree that those "pockets" cannot be reached by using dental floss, but I GUARANTEE those pockets can be reached, and thoroughly cleaned, by using water floss, or, a "Water Pic", on a strong setting. I know this for a fact because I use water floss after every meal. And so, would a dentist ask, or recommend using water floss? The answer is NO! Because there is no financial gain when offering moral and ethical advice. All said IMHO.

I didn't make up the term so please take your complaint to the ADA. Regarding using a water pic, my hygienist recommended that I start using one soon after I started with their office. The word is "umbrage".

Sorry, I was not directing my complaint regarding the term "periodontal disease" at you, or your use of the term. I was referring to the dentist who use that term. Also, your dental office is evidently more ethical than the two dental offices I have been seen in.
AND, thank you for the spelling correction, my mistake.

Sounds like conformation was missing. Did you request them to call and verify with insurance first? Just the word of the receptionist (or other) at the office is not good enough.

Also, you can call yourself to verify. (the best way)

There are many different plans under same insurance carriers for everything. Also, depending on the "coding" used for payment, the "payable" amount can be different.

Always check prior to having anything done. Staff make mistakes. Get it in writing whenever possible, all you have to do is ask for it.

My wife goes there. Never had any issues.

I go to Trailwinds and had the deeper cleaning because I calcify. They were referred by my insurance site. Two hours and about $200 out of pocket. They did a great job, healed the gums and my teeth are squeaky clean for a while. We did it in two sessions.

Sounds like someone in billing messed up. Make sure they really called the insurance company and find out why it was denied. Wrong codes maybe. If so, they used a crappy procedure and I’ll watch out.

Water pics are like the sprayer at the hand held car wash. Unless you use the "scrub/soapy" brush too, your car, or teeth, really won't be clean(and SHINEY!)

Deep cleaning
 

No insurance company has a code for "deep cleaning" & therefore it is never covered. It,therefore, is not a legitimate term. It would more correctly be termed "root planing & curretage" which is technically periodontal treatment. Someone who has their teeth cleaned every 10 years probably needs more than a routine cleaning known as "scaling & prophylaxis.

I have a couple of different bridges in my mouth and through no fault of my own I’ve had gum problems but not for many years. I get a periodontal maintenance cleaning every 3 months I believe the price is $165 ,do I need it every 3 months most likely not but it can’t hurt

You missed the point. Water piks are for those areas that you can’t get to with a tooth brush or floss. Brush, water pik, and floss.