ComplaintsforAdirondack Family Dentistry

• Initial Complaint

  11/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In January of 2022 i called Adirondack Family Dentistry because they were closer to home than my dentist at the time, to see if they accepted my insurance. I talked to Tamara and she said they did accept our insurance and then i asked if i would have to pay any money out of pocket and she told me no. So i made appointments for myself and my 4 boys and we had x-rays done and teeth cleanings. The appointments ranged from 02/23/2022 until 03/30/2022. I then received a bill from them for $449, i called the office and she said not to worry that the insurance would take care of the rest. I then received a bill for $261.00 and i called ADK family dentistry back and asked her why i received a bill. She told me that was what i had to pay out of pocket. I reminded her that wasn't what she told me and she said she never told me that there wouldn't be out of pocket cost and that she never told me any of that. I then explained to her I never would have gone there if i had to pay out of pocket . She told me that I needed to pay the bill asap. I paid $50 on 8/9/2022 so my credit wouldn't be affected. I have since talked to many people who have had the same problem with them, that they are told their insurance was accepted and then get a bill. I do not believe this is an error on the dentist but on his secretaries/billing staff. Either way I don't think I should have to pay for something I was told would be covered because they lied to get my business. I don't believe I should have to pay anything else out of pocket or have my credit affected in any way. 

  Business response

  11/16/2022

  We are writing in response to the complaint dated 11/1/2022.  We've been in business for 24 years.  Since the beginning, we have been a fee-for-service office which also known as non-participating provider with all dental insurance companies.  We inform all patients that we are happy to submit their dental services fees to their dental insurance but will balance bill the patient for any amount not covered by their dental insurance.  All of our employees have been here for 12+ years and know that we are a fee-for-service office.  In the last 24 years since we have been in business, we have had no complaints regarding our office billing policy.  Lastly, HIPPA prevents us from discussing specific accounting issues.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.  Sincerely, Adirondack Family Dentistry.   

  Customer response

  11/16/2022

  Better Business Bureau:  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.  I was told they took my insurance, I even asked twice and  I was never told about the fee-for-service. I never would have left a dentist office that was completely covered under my dental insurance to go to an office that would bill me the difference just because it was 15 mins closer, that makes no sense. I along with my 4 children need a lot of dental work done and that would accrue quickly. They took advantage of me and got my kids and myself in quickly to make sure to bill us as much as possible before we received any payment out of pocket bill. I have learned from this experience and wont make the same mistake twice. My sister in law was the one who told me they did the same thing to her, and that's why I checked with the office after I received the bills, She was unaware of how to report them though. When I called the office after receiving the bill I was still not told about the fee-for-service and that I never should have been sent a bill.   Regards,  ***** ****** 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩