Tall Grass Dental

All copayments (deductibles and uncovered percentages) are do at the time the service is begun.  You will be expected to pay these fees to the office at the end or at the beginning of your visit.  As a service we will process the paper work for you!  We will ask the insurance company to pay us directly.  This reduces your out of pocket expenses.  If you cannot pay your portion please make arrangements with the office staff 2 days prior to your visit.  Check with the front desk staff what the fees are for the procedures and what you will be expected to bring to your operative visits.  We will work with you as best we can to help you get the services you need.  We only ask for your honesty and integrity.

We will do our best to determine the extent of your insurance coverage, but knowing your plans coverage is your responsiblity.  There are thousands of plans and hundreds of specific plan restictions and limitations.  Any unpaid balance after 45 days of the services rendered are due to the office regardless of insurance payment status.

It is not exceptable to say that you will mail a copayment to the office or to insist that we wait for the insurance company payment first.  If you attempt to behave this way then you will be asked to make full payment at the time of all services or find another dental care provider.  Remember we process your insurance as a service!  We are under no obligation to except your insurance as a payment.

"I paid my part at the office.  Why am I getting a new bill from Tall Grass Dental now?"  Despite all of our best efforts to determine your out of pocket fees there are a number of reasons you may have a balance after the insurance company makes their payment.  Here are some tricks that insurance companies use to reduce what they pay and increase what you pay:

1. Not covering white fillings or crowns in the back of the mouth.  The insurance company will pay a reduced rate for silver crowns and filling even though white porcelain and tooth colored composites were used.  This is because the policy covers the cheapest possible restoration not the one choosen by you and your dentist.
2. Not paying for bridges or dentures to replace teeth lost prior to coverage with their company. 
3. Not paying for crown build-ups unless the crown is done at the same time.  Build-ups are often done at the completion of a root canal therapy weeks before the crown is done.  Sometimes a patient elects to get the crown done the next calender year.  This prevents the office from being paid. 
4. Denying that they received a claim.  Some insurance companies always loose claims. 
5. Not covering 2 cleanings per year unless separated by 6 months and 1 day.
6. Requesting more information. When adequate information was sent initially. 
7. Not covering Fluoride for children at every cleaning.
8. Not paying of needed deep cleanings when they are needed close to the last deep cleaning. 
9. Not paying for implants.  Although some insurance companies pay on part of the implant crown.
10. Not paying past an predetermined maximum fee schedule that they won't share with our office or you, the patient.
11. Not paying because they say the fee exceeds ussual and customary for our area.  This is not true since we set our fees our serveys taking by the American Dental Association. 
12. Not covering an emergency exam because they only cover two exams per year.
13. Veneers and implants are not covered by most dental insurance companies.
14. Know your plans maximum benefit as the insurance company will not make payments above this amount.

This list is not comprehensive and insurance companies always amaze us with their creativity in this area.

Remember that your employer chose your coverage with the insurance company.  Only your employer can change poor coverage.  Let them know if you are not satisfied with your coverage.  Communicate with your human resourses personnel or changes will never be made. 

"Should I get an Individual policy because I am self employed?"  Insurance companies will never pay out more then they collect.  Therefore their is never an advantage to get an individual policy for dental insurance.  You will always pay more then you will use.

"I have Delta Dental Insurance. Why does Delta send me the payment for my work instead of sending it to Tall Grass Dental?" Delta is the only company that does this.  We believe it is a way to interfer in a smooth relationship between you the patient and Tall Grass Dental.  They do this because we don't except their 40% reductions in fees to be in their network.  Please cash the checks into your personal account and write us a personal check for the whole balance on your account with our office.