INSURANCE - As a courtesy to our patient's parents, we are happy to accept assignment of most insurance benefits and file your insurance for you. Before services are rendered, insurance only gives our office an ESTIMATE of your benefits and does not guarantee payment. We do ask that all patients who pay only the DEDUCTIBLE or ESTIMATED CO-PAY and have us wait for their insurance payment, leave a credit/debit card number on file with us. We will keep this card on file to cover any unpaid balances from your insurance and will notify you through your contact number on record prior to making any charges to the account. If you are unable to leave a credit card on file, then ask our financial coordinator for details on other payment options.

1. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your employer. The amount of coverage you will receive will depend on the quality of the plan purchased by your employer, not the fees of Lakeway Pediatric Dentistry, P.A..
2. You must provide the office with a dental (not medical) insurance card with the proper mailing address. As a courtesy to you, our staff spends a great deal of time getting information and benefits. We do the best we can with the information you provide us, and the information your insurance company gives us. Incorrect information could result in delay of payment or denial of the claim. If this information is not available at the time of the appointment, you will be responsible for payment of ALL fees at the time treatment is provided.
3. Payment is determined at the time the claim is received by the insurance company. Please be aware that some or perhaps all of the services provided may be non-covered services and not considered reasonable and necessary by your insurance. We are not responsible for any limitations in coverage that may be included in your plan. If your dental plan denies a claim for any reason, you will be responsible for the bill in its entirety.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DENTAL INSURANCE:

Dental insurance can be confusing for those not familiar with the terminology used by the insurance companies. While good insurance plans which incorporate dental care do exist, there are also some plans that do not adequately assist the patient in obtaining quality preventive dental care.   Please do not hesitate to contact our office so we can answer any questions you may have regarding your current or prospective dental insurance coverage. Below are some frequently misunderstood facts regarding dental insurance coverage:

1. Dental insurance is intended to be an aid to the patient, not a 'Pay-All' entity.
2. Should your insurance company tell you that the fees charged by this office are "above the usual and customary fees," assess their benefit level. Their benefits for reimbursement may be low for this region or rely on a preset fee schedule that the insurance company has set themselves.   Remember, you get back only what your employer pays into the plan less the profits of the insurance company.  
3. Many routine dental services are NOT covered by some insurance carriers. Contact your insurance for a list of procedures and percentages of coverage.
4. Dental insurance began in the 1960's. At the time, there was an average yearly maximum benefit of $1,000. Now, over 40 years later, the average yearly maximum of most dental insurance plans is still $1,000. Using the annual Consumer Price Index for the last 40 years, the yearly maximum should be well over $3,500 today! During this time, patient premiums and insurance profits have increased dramatically.

FINANCIAL POLICY:

1. Payment for treatment is due at the time services are rendered. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
2. There will be a $25 service charge for all returned checks.
3. The office cannot carry balances longer than 90 days regardless of insurance payment. After 90 days, we will inform you of the delinquent account by letter. If no action is taken to clear the account, the office will be required to employ a collection service to collect payment.
4. A $5 monthly re-billing charge will be added to your account if it is not paid within 90 days, regardless of balance amount.
5. The parent or guardian who brings the child for their visits is responsible for payment independent of what a divorce decree may state. Reimbursement must be made between the divorced parents. We will not intervene.