Great doctor! He's kind and makes you feel at ease in the chair, which isn't easy to do at the dentist. I needed a root canal for a painful tooth and he really helped me out.
HOWEVER -- their billing needs to be more transparent and accurate. Ask for written documentation for everything, especially if you're out of network. I'm not sure what the front desk receptionist's name is now, might be Nina, but she would make comments about people receiving checks from their insurance and never returning. I brushed it off because I was in pain, I'm still grieving a family loss, and my birthday was coming up. Though I kept it in the back of my mind as a subtle jab at assuming I wouldn't pay.
I received a call to confirm my appointment from the receptionist who informed me I needed to make a payment when I came in. Didn't specify how much, didn't make it seem like they'd be asking for the full amount in one day. I said no problem, as Dr. sterling informed me in the chair as he was working on me that I could do payments rather than pay it all up front. I said that was perfect.
I get to my appointment and I'm asked to pay the full payment up front right then and there. Again, receptionist gave me the same story about people just never coming back to pay. Don't know why, since I was standing there with my card in hand ready to pay. I just wasn't expecting to pay the full thing at once when I was told I could do payments. The economy is in a tight spot for everyone right now and dental work is expensive. I wish I had 1500 lying around to pay all in one shot, but I do not. Again, this isn't an issue of me not wanting to pay. It's the utter lack of transparency and communication.
Speaking of 1500, that's how much the front desk told me I owed. So I payed 800 the time of my visit and said I would pay the rest when I'm able. I received a bill today and my total is suddenly over 1600. What? What happened to 1500? And if it's an extra charge because I didn't pay it at once, who was going to tell me this?
Also, not having an option to pay online is ridiculous when I have to work during the day and sometimes don't have time to call and make a payment on the phone. This part is more a convenience thing for me, but if billing is going to be this much of a mess might as well have an option for patients to do it online.
Always ask for receipts and ask for a break down of costs wherever you go, lest you run into a weird back and forth and passive aggressive comments that make you feel like you're about to "dine and dash" at the dentist. I'm going to make my payments, just make sure your office is accurate the first time.
Again, good dentist. Great work. But this billing method needs to be reviewed and redone.
Additionally: I was told claims would be sent to my insurance and that they would then mail me a reimbursement check. Come to find my claims were never sent to my insurance company. read more
