FINANCIAL AND MISSED APPOINTMENT POLICIES
Thank you for choosing us as your dental health care provider. We believe that all patients deserve the very best dental care we can provide. We also believe that everyone benefits when specific financial arrangements are agreed upon. Please understand that payment of your bill is considered a part of your treatment. The following is a statement of our Financial Policy which we require that you read and sign prior to any treatment. All patients must complete our information and insurance forms before seeing the doctor.
FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF SERVICE UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE IN ADVANCE. WE ACCEPT CASH, CHECKS, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER AND AMERICAN EXPRESS CREDIT CARDS, AND DEBIT CARDS. WE OFFER A 5% FOR CASH AND CHECKS 3% ON CREDIT CARD PREPAYMENT COURTESY. WE ALSO OFFER CARECREDIT WHICH IS AN EXTENDED PAYMENT PLAN WITH PRIOR CREDIT APPROVAL.
Regarding Insurance:
We request that any co-payments, deductibles, and any services not covered by your insurance plan be paid at the time the service is provided. The balance is your responsibility whether your insurance company pays or not. We cannot bill your insurance unless you bring in all insurance information at your initial visit. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. We are not a party to that contract. If your insurance company has not paid your account in full within 45 days, the balance will be automatically transferred to your account. Please be aware some and possibly all of the services provided may be non-covered services and not considered reasonable, usual, and customary under the terms of your dental and/or medical policy. We will always file the forms as a courtesy to you and promise to do our best to maximize your benefits.
Usual and Customary Rates:
Our practice is committed to providing the best treatment for our patients and we charge what is usual and customary for our area. We customize our treatment plans based on clinical findings for each individual not based on your dental insurance benefits or lack of benefits. You are responsible for payment regardless of any insurance company’s arbitrary determination of usual and customary rates. Adult Patients Adult patients are responsible for full payment at the time of service. If you are unable to pay at this time, be sure to point this out when you arrive for you appointment. Minor Patients The adult accompanying a minor and/or the parents (or guardians) are responsible for full payment at the time of service. For unaccompanied minors, non-emergency treatment will be denied unless charges have been pre-authorized to an approved credit plan, credit card, or payment by cash or check at time of service has been verified. Payment Plans The Ridge Dental Group P.A. has partnered with Care Credit, a patient financing company, to offer our patients 0% interest financing for 3, 6, or 12 months with approval. Care credit offers longer financing terms with competitive rates.
Missed Appointments:
Unless cancelled at least 24 hours in advance, our policy is to charge and collect for missed appointments at the rate of a normal office visit ($75/hour). Please understand that missed appointment times are valuable to those patients that may find it hard to come to the dentist at other times. Please help us serve you better by keeping your scheduled appointments. Billing All accounts which have not paid the estimated portion of their bill at the time of service will incur a $3.00 billing charge each month until the balance is paid. Balances which are 60 days old or older will incur a monthly 1.5% finance charge with equals an 18% per annum rate. There is also a $30 returned check fee.
Refunds:
Refunds for overpayment will be sent or credit applied to your account after all treatment is completed and insurance has been collected.
Collections:
Any account that has not received payment in 90 days will be handed over to a collection agency that will pursue the responsible party for reimbursement. This will negatively impact your credit history and limit the treatment you can receive at our office. Your file will become inactive at this time. To be reactivated and to continue to receive dental treatment, all delinquent fees plus a 50% reactivation fee will need to be paid.
Thank you for understanding our financial policy. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to providing the highest quality dental care in a relaxing and caring atmosphere. I have thoroughly read the Financial Policy. I understand and agree to this Financial Policy.