Help with Dentist

[wmclay]

I went to a new dentist in July, 2005. They did the normal cleaning and xrays. He used an electronic device to check my teeth and determined I needed some fillings. I scheduled an appointment and went back and had the restorations performed. The dentist is listed within "network" and when the fillings were installed I paid the amount that was estimated not to be covered on my insurance.

 

I few weeks later I receive a bill from the dentist for an amount that was not covered under my insurance. When I called to inquire why it wasn't covered, the insurance tells me that they only cover silver fillings and not white fillings(more expensive). I explained that I wasn't advised by the dentist that a choice was available. The insurance tells me they are sorry but that is between me and the dentist.

 

I telephone the dentist office and am advised that they don't care what my insurance said. They state that I signed a form when they performed the service stating that I was responsible for any amount not covered by insurance. I sent them a letter disputing the charge. They turned the matter over to Transworld Systems. When I received Transworld's initial letter they were incorrectly trying to collect for a bad check. I wrote them back and advised them that I didn't have any record of a bad check and didn't know of any amount that I owed the dentist. I just received a notice from Transworld stating that they have received the original bill from the dentist and are reinstating the account for continued collection efforts. It is only $144.00, but I dont feel I should be blackmailed into paying this dentist. Any advise is appreciated.

[wmclay]

please help me. I am just getting my credit back to a respectable state and hate to see this dentist screw it up over a charge that I don't owe.

[mhart]

I tell you, there needs to be some medical reform for some of these practicioners out there today. I had almost the same thing happen to me about 10 years ago. I went in for a cleaning and got, what they labeled, a scaling. Insurance would not pay for it all and I got stuck with a $98.00 bill. Call me stupid, but they "ate" that bill for non-disclosure of charges. I took a credit hit for 7 years but even in the dental field, there needs to be some sort of disclosure BEFORE they perform the services.