ComplaintsforAtlas Smiles PLLC

• Initial Complaint

  04/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My former Dentist -Atlas Smiles is charging me after years of services where they said that they accepted my insurance and before and after each cleaning/procedure I was told the costs (cleaning were fully covered) while I had some cost for a filling. After each cleaning I was told I didn't owe anything and before the filling I was charged and paid. Now after a year, they appear to be in financial straits so there are trying to charge me. When I originally started with them, I told them that I did only wanted to use them if my services like cleanings were fully covered. They ensured me that they were. Now they baited and switched since they reported to me that they are financially struggling. They are trying to extort money out of me in order to gain financial stability. I began with them back in 5/2022. Had several visits and NEVER had any outstanding balances. My last cleaning appointment on 9/27/2023, I was financially bombarded by I woman at the front desk demanding funds for previous years of service. I understand that times are tough, but baiting and switching dental clients is no way to run a business. They faxed me fabricated records with dates as far back as 2006. My first time ever engaging with and experiencing this unethical practice was 9/27/2023.

  Business response

  04/23/2024

  Please see attached explanation of benefits from this patient's insurance company with dates of service 12/19/22, 03/20/23, and 06/21/23. Documents clearly state how much they will pay and how much the subscriber (the patient) is responsible for. There is another document for date of service 09-15-22 that we don't currently have a copy of that equals an additional amount of $63.60, if necessary we maybe able to request this document from her insurance company. We billed the patients insurance, any balance remaining has been determined by her insurance. Patient also received copies of these documents. 

  The date of service on 04-21-2006 the patient claimed is fraud is because I acquired an older practice in 12/2020, she was a patient of that other practice. No balances were carried over from that practice.

  We've hired a third party billing company to audit and reconcile our accounts. This patient was also unable/unwilling to pay a reduced or negotiated amount. Her account currently holds a balance of $175.80.

  This complaint seems to be motivated by spite rather than wrongdoing on my business's part. Please let me know how I can be of further assistance.

  Thank you

  Customer response

  04/23/2024

   
  Complaint: 21527106
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I asked this company if they took my insurance and clearly stated that I only wanted services that were covered. I did not want to be slammed with bills after the fact. I was informed by their staff that they accepted my insurance and that cleaning and exams were covered. See screenshot. The only service that had an additional fee was a filling which they informed my of prior and so I scheduled once I was clear on the exact cost and I paid prior to the procedure.
  
  Every time I had a cleaning/exam, I was reassured before and after the visit that there were not costs.
  
  I would have NEVER proceeded to do services with the dentist had I known that they there were hidden fees that they would only attempt to extort years after services being rendered. This is a for of ****. I said no. I said did not consent to any services that would have hidden fees associated with it. I made this clear and it appears that this organization knowing and deliberately forced itself on me without my consent. They waited years after the services to drum of bills.
  
  This is transactional rape! I said clearly that I did not want any dental services that were not covered.  I had no intention of being extorted by being given bills years later.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

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