Dr. Savage is quoted in Coastal Insider in January of 2018 as saying "No one likes going to the dentist and not being treated well...Many people have had experiences of being talked down to, or made to feel wrong or ashamed...So here, we not only give patients great care, but we also give them great customer service and turn that dynamic of scolding on its head." We take what our patients say about us very seriously...."
Yet here is his response when I tried to address a situation which occurred when, Karly a member of his staff, made an insurance error by telling me she did not have my current dental insurance policy information on file. Instead, she told me she had been processing claims on an old insurance policy the office had on record which terminated on 12/31/2022. 3 years ago!
They did, in fact have my latest policy information, as the last 3 years claims went thru and paid Dr. Savage with no issues. We all know an insurance company isn't paying a dentist on any claim they may submit on a terminated policy. We also know if they didn't get paid, the dentist would have addressed the issue 3 years ago! She must have missed my current policy information somehow or read my file wrong. Instead of an apology, for her error, I got this.
Mary,
I had hoped we had moved on from September but insurance continues to dominate your dental care. I appreciate the kind words but these scenarios are the exact reason I have been 'out of network' with insurance for the last 13 years. To be honest dental insurance or a patients lack there of has absolutely no bearing on how I/we treat patients. If a patient is looking for the lower value care in regards to their health I gladly encourage them to seek care elsewhere as with anything it is not always a good fit. The back and forth becomes exhausting and the actual patient care becomes secondary and relationship(s) fractured. In regards to insurance we 'provide' a service to try and coordinate and explain patients individual plans but at the end of the day insurance companies do what they want. They provide less detail and make verification's for out of network offices harder because we have not contracted to their standard of care. All that being said we are not in the insurance business nor claim to be.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of the care or how you were treated then in the most sincere way I think it would be best we part ways and you seek care elsewhere. I genuinely wish you the best and will make sure we forward your records per your request to the provider of your choice.
DS
Does this sound like a dentist who treats you well, doesn't want you to feel wrong or ashamed, and takes what you say very seriously?
Is this what he means by great customer service?
Dr. Savage tells you himself he is "not in the insurance business" and "If a patient is looking for the lower value care in regards to their health I gladly encourage them to seek care elsewhere as with anything it is not always a good fit."
Since when did relying on insurance to keep costs down and wanting to be sure your dentist has correct policy information in their computer so you are not being over billed on your out-of-pocket costs become an indicator of wanting "lower value care?"
Based upon the response which centers entirely around the insurance aspect, not his staff members error, and the fact that he asked me to seek coverage elsewhere, It appears to me that "To be honest dental insurance or a patients lack there of" actually does have "bearing on how" I/we treat patients".
Keep this in mind if you ever consider seeking his services. read more
