FIRST
APPOINTMENTS
We welcome new patients from 1 to 13 years of age and will continue to
see established patients to the age of 21. The American Academy
of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents arrange their child's
first visit with a Pediatric Dentist 3-6 months after the 1st tooth
erupts, but no later than the first birthday. This first visit will
consist of a brief examination, nutritional advice, oral hygiene
instruction, as well as a discussion of how each child can receive the
best dental experiences and obtain the best dental benefit
possible. Older children and teenagers will receive a thorough dental
exam, orthodontic evaluation, cleaning, and instruction on how to
optimize their dental health.
FOLLOW-UP
APPOINTMENTS
Cleanings and exams are recommended every six months. We will make these
appointments 6 months in advance. These continuing care visits will be
confirmed by mail and phone. We ask for any address or phone number
changes in order to provide the best service to our patients and their
parents.
MISSING
SCHOOL
The longer appointments (usually operative and orthodontic) are
scheduled in the mornings and occasionally in this early afternoon for 3
reasons:
1.
The patients, Dr. Miller and the staff are at their peak.
2.
Younger patients have a better experience in the morning.
3.
Afternoon appointments will be available for more people with
shorter appointments. This is especially helpful during the school
months.
Orthodontic
patients should count on alternating their visits between the morning
and the afternoon during the school year; however, more than half the
visits should be available after lunch if we continue to have everyone's
cooperation.
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Emergencies
In
the event of an emergency, please call our office immediately. Our trained
staff will give you instructions depending on the nature of the emergency.
Dr. Miller is usually available 24 hours a day to respond to our patients
when emergencies occur.
Financial Policies
PAYMENT
IS DUE AT THE TIME SERVICES ARE RENDERED.
There
are 4 different payment options. One is to pay the entire bill and let the
insurance company reimburse you directly. The second is to allow you to
pay the estimated portion your insurance company will not pay when the
treatment is performed, and we will wait on the portion insurance is
expected to pay. The third is to pay ahead and build up a credit. In any
event, cash, checks, money orders, or credit cards (Visa, Master Card,
Discover, American Express) are accepted.
For our patients who would prefer a
payment plan, we offer a no interest or low interest payment plans through
CareCredit.
We
have a very competent and caring staff who will be happy to help you any
way they can. Please give us a call anytime you have a concern, question,
or information for us. We truly do want to work together with you to make
your child's experience a pleasurable one, and one that is financially
reasonable for you.
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STATEMENTS
Statements are sent out around the 22d of the month. We ask that
the amount owed be paid within 30 days. We try not to send statements to
those accounts where insurance is all that is owed. During the month, if
we receive insurance payment that still leaves a balance owed by you, we
will send you a statement at that time. Please be so kind as to send us
your payment upon receipt of the statement, as it probably has been
several weeks since the treatment was completed.
After
60 days, interest is assessed at l.5% per month (18% annual percentage
rate), including unpaid insurance claims. Please make sure you keep
abreast of how your insurance company is handling your claim. You may call
us anytime if you need our assistance regarding your claim. Again, we will
be happy to accept a credit card to satisfy your bill if that is easier.
If
we do not receive payment from you after another 30 days, (a total of 90
days since your child received treatment in this office), we will try to
contact you one more time advising you that you may have left us no
alternative but to turn your account over to our collection agency. We
never want to turn anyone over and ruin their credit rating, and hope that
you will find alternative financing immediately. If you still fail to
remit payment and we turn over your account to our collection agency, you
will be assessed the entire fee they charge us in addition to the 1.5%
interest. That can be as much as 55-75% additional on your bill. Should
our collection agency take you to court to collect, you will be
responsible for all court costs along with the other collection agency
costs and finance charges. PLEASE do not put yourself in this situation!
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ORTHODONTIC
PAYMENT PLANS
Orthodontic treatment is financed slightly differently. For those patients
with insurance, we will estimate what the insurance company will pay and
set up a payment plan for the remainder with 25% down and the remaining
balance paid over the anticipated length of treatment. For those with no
insurance coverage, we will offer a payment plan of 25% down with the
remaining balance paid over the estimated treatment time.
If
you prefer, we may bill your credit card each month to satisfy the monthly
orthodontics payments. This convenient means of payment is the simplest
method we have found. One more option is available; we will offer a 10%
accounting write off if you choose to make full payment at the beginning
of orthodontic treatment.
Regardless
of the method of payment, we do require that the entire bill be satisfied
by the time we complete treatment. Also, the fee charged is for the
treatment, not the estimated length of time. If we under estimate the
treatment time, we will not charge any additional fee; conversely, if
treatment finishes earlier than expected, the fee will not be reduced. Our
computer system automatically posts the agreed upon coupon amount monthly
for both you and your insurance company (if applicable) to your account,
and these amounts will appear on your statement. As mentioned in the
"Statement" section, amounts over 60 days old will be subject to
the 1.5% finance charge.
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TRANSFERS
With our highly mobile society, transfers are inevitable. If for any
reason you find it necessary to transfer out of the practice, we will be
happy to duplicate any current x-rays at no cost to anyone whose
account is current. We will be happy to mail them to your next dentist, or
have them available for pick up, which ever is more convenient for you.
Please do allow three working days for us to prepare your records.
I
have read the above, understand what I have read, and agree to the terms
and conditions as stated.
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Insurance Policies
Our staff realizes that your insurance benefits help you and your family
obtains the dental care that can provide optimum dental health. Although
the parent or patient is responsible for all services rendered, as a
courtesy, we will assist you by filing your insurance. Only the estimated
non-covered patient portion is paid at the time of treatment. After our
office receives all insurance payments, any balance will be refunded or
billed. We are providers in the following insurance networks: Ameritas,
Cigna, Delta Dental Premier, Metlife and United Concordia. It is suggested
that families contact their insurance carrier to verify that we are a
participating provider in their network.
If
your child needs dental treatment, we will discuss the total treatment fee
and provide you with an ESTIMATE of what your insurance company will pay.
Please realize that it is only an estimate and we may be off by quite a
bit! Sometimes we over estimate what your insurance company will pay, in
which case you will owe more; sometimes we under estimate and will be
happy to send you a refund check. As a courtesy to you, on the day of
service, we expect you only to pay the ESTIMATED difference between the
total charges and what we estimate your insurance company will pay, unless
of course you wish to pay the entire amount and have the insurance company
reimburse you. We accept cash, checks, money orders, Master Card, Visa,
Discover, American Express and CareCredit as payment of your portion. Please remember, however, that you,
not your insurance company, are responsible for treatment completed and
costs incurred in this office.
We
will be happy to file your insurance claim(s) for you. It is your
responsibility to provide us with complete and accurate information
regarding your insurance company, policy number, social security number,
etc., and to advise us of any changes, which occur. (Often, insurance
companies, addresses and/or phone numbers change. We need to know that
immediately if we are to help you with your claim.)
Occasionally
we have problems getting insurance companies to pay. We ask that you
contact your carrier if you have not received information from them
regarding the status of your claim within about 4-5 weeks of your visit.
We will be happy to assist you any way we can, but ultimately, the entire
balance is your responsibility.
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