I signed a treatment plan with a dentist who could not complete it. He referred me to an out of network specialist and stated he would credi...

Question

I signed a treatment plan with a dentist who could not complete it. He referred me to an out of network specialist and stated he would credit me. I went to a in network specialist and he informed me that the work was questionable and would not last a year. I am disputing the 2900.00 bill, while the dentist attempts to get reimbursed by the insurance. They are dragging there feet and not providing proper documentation after 35 days. How long should I wait this out. Thanks in advance Jeff Rager

Answer

I do not understand your question. Wait it out for what?

Look, you had dental work done. You are obligated to pay for that work regardless of what the insurer does or does not do. The dentist is not a bank/lender. He has a right to be paid for his services. The second person did not have to honor the agreement with the first dentist. And it may be that the first dentist was incompetent or that the second dentist is overcharging. I do not know - I am a lawyer, not a dentist.

I can tell you what is going to happen though if you do not pay eventually. Many health care providers immediately turn you over for collection. If that happens - your credit gets trashed. Does it matter? It depends. Are you going to be needing credit any time soon, like to buy a car or house or refinance a mortgage? Is your credit otherwise ok? A bad mark can drop your score by a lot.

Have you ever thought to get a third opinion here and pay for it? Can you get your dental records and have them evaluated as to what your problem was, the cost to fix and whether work done by the first dentist was or was not substandard? If it was in fact substandard, then your complaint is with the first dentist, not the second.

Why are you disputing the $2900 bill? On what basis? Have you talked to other dentists in your area to find what would be a reasonable and customary charge for identical work?

Assuming that either one or both of your prior dentists was bad, have you contacted your state's dental board? Website is: http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/Pages/default.aspx#.VPUeA_nF8eE

I am not all that sure you have a collection issue as opposed to a malpractice issue and if the latter, then you need to direct your question or go and see a malpractice/personal injury attorney.

If you really are focused on debt collection issues, maybe there is a way to pay the money to a third-party escrow agent to have the agent hold while this dispute is ongoing. While the agent has the money, the dentist promises not to take any adverse collection action against you and you try and work out your differences in mediation or some other alternate proceedung, maybe with a lawyer or on your own.