Dental fees to be paid up front normal?

I have always seen either my grandfater (dentist) or the dentist my mother has worked for (she's a hygenist), but now I live far enough away that I have to find my own dentist.

So after much procrastinating, and now with some pain I go see a dentist. My 22 year old fillings are failing and I need a couple of crowns. I don't have any issue with the diagnosis.

BUT, the office manager tried to extract payment for the self pay portion at the time we were making the appointment for the procedure. Is this normal?

I have good insurance that is covering over 2/3 of the cost. I have no problem with paying at least a portion of my share at the time the prep work and temporaries are put in (2 weeks from now). But why should I pay in full up front when it will be at least a month before the work is complete? And what redress would I have if there was some problem with the work done and I had already paid in full? Advice?

While there is no reason a dental office should grant you credit ("just send me a bill after my insurance pays"), neither should YOU grant THEM credit ("pay us before we do the work.")

Obtain a good-faith estimate of your non-insured charges and pay that as each procedure is completed. Any difference (to your benefit, or the dentist's) should be paid immediately after insurance pays.

I am an office manager in a dental practice. It is our policy to collect an *estimated* patient portion at time of service. If I over collect, payment is refunded within two business days of insurance payment. I expect the same if the patient owes us.

Find another dentist. You shouldn't have to pay for services that have yet been rendered.

yup this is common now that dental insurance is rare and doesn't cover much anyway. A lot of times they won't ask for payment up front if you are a long time patient but mostly now they do. As for recourse, you can always call the state board.

I have to pay my portion that the insurance doe snot cover up front. This was for a crown. And it was quite a bit of money. the dentist said that he has to pay the other guy who makes the crown for him that will go on your teeth.

It is customary to pay for a procedure at the time it was completed. Trying to get you to pay in full way in advance for a procedure sounds a bit overboard.

Personally I would be uncomfortable doing that. I would look for another dentist, or go to the dental school in the area if there is one (where money is not a motivating factor).

Full payment of your share should not be due until the work is complete.

I would find another dentist. There are a lot out there that will confirm your insurance coverage and charge you only the difference. I feel violated when I see a denist that has a used car salesmen as an office manager.

unfortunately this is standard procedure these days with all medical providers.when i was suspected of having (and later diagnosed ) with cancer, the primary specialist wanted money up front. tell them what you can pay and ask for a payment plan. be honest. they may accept it,maybe not. there are many ways of addressing problems if they happen afterwards, sometimes thru state licensing agencies. maybe call a referal service to find the best provider for your need.

i give a small discount for pre-payment. it ensures that people don't "forget their check book". as dentists, we've been burned too many times and prepayment is our way to prevent scammers.