Dentist wants payment in full

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2009
Dentist wants payment in full
10
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 1:48pm

Hi-


I'm really having a struggle here.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-02-1998
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 4:33pm
Can you appeal the $80? Ask your dentist if she can write a note saying that she had to take that amount of x-rays. If your cavity isn't bothering at the moment can you put it off long enough to save up what the cost of having it repaired would be? Or possibly get some recommendations of dentists on your plan from friends who are pleased with their dentists. Just a few random thoughts.
Sharon




iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 6:23pm
Honestly - find a new dentist. I don't doubt you like your dentist but that's a lot of money and most dentists WILL allow a payment plan.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 6:54pm

I have a friend without insurance that recently changed dentists and she offered a specific payment plan ($100 every other Thursday) before the work was done.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 7:32pm

I, too, think it is time to shop for a new dentist.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2009
Tue, 10-27-2009 - 7:42pm

Hello-


The problem for me that no one I know can recommend a good dentist in my area.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2007
Wed, 10-28-2009 - 7:05am

Maybe you could stop by one of these offices you called.

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 10-28-2009 - 9:45am

Interesting about the dentist!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Wed, 10-28-2009 - 9:56am

Oh my gosh! I have both a dentist and a doctor that will let me pay as little as 20 dollars a month. The only thing I can see that's a difference between you and me is that I go to these huge offices. My dentist office is in a wealthy town (the town I grew up in and I still have the same dentist). There's 5 different dentists at this office and they have a financial lady that will work out payments with you. My doctors office is a huge building that houses everyone together, the family practice, pediatrician, OB etc. It's called Dartmouth Hitchcock clinic. They set up a payment plan with me for only 20 dollars a month.

Also - I have an FSA plan at my husbands job. A Flexible Spending Account. They take money out of his check each week pre-tax and put it on to a credit card. At the beginning of the year I get the full accumulated amount which equals about $300 dollars an I can use it for everything medical related, even buying over the counter drugs and glasses. This year I'm planning on putting in the max because my son needs braces. This is the first year we've done it and I love it. The only thing you have to watch out for is that you spend the whole amount in a year because whatever you don't spend by January 1st, you lose.

Community Leader
Registered: 07-26-1999
Wed, 10-28-2009 - 10:53am
I think its also a bit interesting how different it is based on who you talk to, especially at the bigger places.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-28-2009 - 2:53pm

I'm sure dentists are struggling too, so it's hard to blame them for wanting to be paid up front for services.