Problem with dentist

[Momof4]

I had contacted my dental insurance company two weeks ago regarding obvious overcharging by my children's dentist. The balance he said I needed to pay after insurance was more than what the insurance company had on their statement. I paid at time of service per the dentist's policy, 5 visits since February. I was sure that the dentist had made a mistake but I just wanted to be sure I was right. The insurance company found that I was correct and the dentist did, in fact, owe me the money I had overpaid and sent the dentist a letter to this fact. Today I received a relatively nasty letter from the dentist with the refund check enclosed and instructed me to take my children elsewhere for their dental care basically because I had gotten him in trouble with the insurance company. This, in my opinion was in bad professional conduct. What is my recourse here? Who needs to see this letter?

 

[lars coltrane]

don't do anything. You got your money. I can't image you would go back to the dentist (why would you - so he can drill without numbing first!!) Find a new dentist and in the end, you will be happier.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

I tend to disagree with my good friend, Lars, for two reasons:

1. If you hadn't have paid him, would the good dentist have even given it a second thought to put your account into collections, causing you and your credit report untoward grief and misery?

2. If this dentist has overcharged you, then he has done it to someone else. You can be assured of that. Insurance fraud is insurance fraud, and no one, not even a licensed professional, should ever get away with breaking the law.

3. Retribution is good for the soul. So make good clean copies of his letter and refund check, and send the same with your letter of explanation to your State Department of Insurance.

I do agree with Lars, however, that you shouldn't go back to that dentist. But, since you're not, you may as well get something out of it.

I know I said 2 reasons, but who's counting?

IAAL



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