Dentist Charges

[MollieMac]

Dentist Changes Agreed Upon Fees

What is the name of your state? IL

My dentist did some work on my teeth which was rather expensive. I was told the work would cost 1k. I told dentist I couldn't afford that (no dental insurance) and he said not to worry- I needed this work done and I could take as much time as I needed (within reason) to pay it off. Afterward, I received monthly bills which included cleaning, etc- but nothing regarding the work for 1k. Then four months after the work was done I received a bill for three times the original agreed upon charge- 3k.
Can I just pay him the 1k plus other charges and tell him I won't pay the additional 2k? Will I have a case if he sets an attorney on me for nonpayment? I should probably mention that there is a notation on the bill with the original quote. And, by the way, the veneer has already started chipping off.

I hope this is the correct topic for my post. Thanks very much for any advice you can give me.

Mollie

 

[moburkes]

Mollie, please be patient. You are posting on a weekend, and as soon as someone who is able to answer your questions, sees your post, they will respond. Thanks!

 

[MollieMac]

?

 

[Job_Hunting]

Molly,
I have a few questions first--
1. What exactly was the 1k quote covering?
2. Have you contacted the office? Perhaps the biller was not aware of the agreement you made with doc.
3. Is is possible the 1k quote covered x amount of teeth, and somewhere along the line you decided to have more done, unaware that this would make your cost go up?

If you answer those I can help you get around the billing issues--

 

[MollieMac]

1. The quote was for splinting four front teeth and for bonding to cover the splint which had to go on the front of my teeth.

2. The biller is the dentists wife and she was in on the original discussion re: the cost of the procedure. She knew that $1000 was going to be a problem for me. No, I haven't contacted the office as yet.

3. I thought the 1K covered exactly what we talked about at the original consultation- splint, bonding to cover that and recovering a tooth on my partial. The note on the bill said that since the teeth were bonded as "full bonded veneers" that they had to charge more. Well, how would I know the difference or even that there was a difference? Also, he had never done a procedure exactly like this one before. Since this was the first time he'd done a splinting this way he mentioned that he might write a paper for a journal. I told him he could use my before and after pictures. He knew very well that I could not afford this, that the 1K was a stretch. When I didn't get a bill for the 1K for over 3 months I actually was stupid enough to think that they weren't going to charge me since he might use me for a study in his paper.

And guess what? The bonding is chipping off my front teeth.

Thanks so very, very much for your reply. I truly appreciate your help.
Mollie

 

[Buginlaw]

Did you sign anything?

 

[MollieMac]

Did you sign anything?

No, I did not sign anything.

 

[butterscotch]

Dental work

What is the name of your state? IL

My dentist did some work on my teeth which was rather expensive. I was told the work would cost 1k. I told dentist I couldn't afford that (no dental insurance) and he said not to worry- I needed this work done and I could take as much time as I needed (within reason) to pay it off.

Dental work is really expensive. I have 6 veneers and paid over $1000. for each. I think veneers are the same as splints. That work requires several visits and follow-up to make adjustments to your bite. The chipping in my case required micro adjustments after they were all placed. So it was ongoing with my dentist. They did talk about how payment can be made in installments while the work was being completed.

I suggest that you make that call and ask about the difference in what you were told and what you were billed for. Also tell them about the chipping so you keep them for awhile. What they actually say to you may or may not be a problem requiring legal assistance.

If you returned for the cleaning after the veneer was anything said about the payment?
If you have not made a payment and it has been over 4 months since the veneer was completed they may wonder why you made no payments. So tell them the truth. They failed to send a bill. It is not unrealistic for your dentist make a decision payment that isn't communicated for billing purposes.

Come back for legal advice if needed. You're anticipating a legal action before you know you need it. Good luck.

 

[MollieMac]

I do appreciate that you took the time to respond. Thank you.

Just to be clear:
> The splints are bands set into the front of my teeth to make them more stable. The dentist then bonded over the splints so they would not show (much). These are absolutely not porcelain veneers. The dentist did the work in one five hour appointment.

> When I returned for a later appointment I was told that she, the biller, hadn't had time to do the bill. They didn't fail to send a bill. I continued to get the usual monthly bills (for previous work). The $3000 charge appeared 4 months after this splinting/bonding work was done.

It is not unrealistic for your dentist make a decision payment that isn't communicated for billing purposes.

I'm not certain what you mean. I believe it is unrealistic for my dentist to decide to charge me 3 times what we agreed on, without speaking to me about it, and then bill it 4 months later. I'm a reasonable person but this is too much -especially since they know very well that I can't afford so much money. He has been my dentist for a long time and knows perfectly well my situation.

I won't call them mainly because I know that I will get upset (and maybe a bit sarcastic) so I've written a nice, unemotional letter. Thanks for your good wishes and please cross you fingers!

Mollie

 

[butterscotch]

I'm not certain what you mean. I believe it is unrealistic for my dentist to decide to charge me 3 times what we agreed on, without speaking to me about it, and then bill it 4 months later.

I understood you to say his wife did the billing. And your discussion about the fee being $1000 was with the dentist. Buginlaw first suggested it. I was emphasing- it might be his wife but maybe he did not tell her.

I think your idea of writing a letter is a good idea. Better idea.

 

[MollieMac]

Yes, you were correct, his wife does the billing. She was in the room at the appointment where we discussed what was to be done and what the costs would be.

M.

 

[Buginlaw]

Hello Mollie,
If you haven't written that letter yet- be sure that it has no trace of "feelings" in it. Make it firm but not heavyhanded. State the facts and nothing but the facts, make a copy, and get a postal receipt from the post office. Very important note: do not allow any hint of sarcasm in that final draft!!!! Be

 

[MollieMac]

Thanks for the advice. lol