2nd opinion/estimate
Added: January 19, 2009 - 5:05 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, San Diego, CA
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
Yes
X-rays Available:
Yes
Case Summary
Crown
Bridge
Teeth:
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: 1 week
Last Cleaning: 1 week
Case Description
Just tried a new dentist and on my first visit she quoted $3900 of work because of a cavity in one tooth which would require a crown and a bridge to be replaced because of a cavity in one of the supporting tooth. Do dentist charge for 2nd opinions? Also, I am currently with a PPO but am eligible to switch to 2 HMO plans, (Delta Care USA) and Concordia Plan 701. According to their brochures, I would only have to pay very little out of pocket. Do HMOs really stick it to you by denying you the work once you switch?
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Reply: 2nd opinion/estimate
added: January 19, 2009 - 8:25 PM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Hello,My name is Paul Taylor, I am a dentist from the Dr. Oogle website. I do not charge for a second opinion and you can feel free to call my office at 858-277-8100 and set up a consult. Please mention that I emailed you and I said it would be a "free Dr. Oogle consult."The answer to your insurance question is keep you PPO plan. The HMO''''''''s are simply reduced fee schedules, they do not "cover" anything, they simply reduce the fees. They also have exclusions so the dentist can get the fee to a more reasonable cost. Delta Care does not reduce the fee of a bridge, it makes a partial denture the covered benefit. The doctor can then charge his normal rate for the bridge. The HMO''''''''s are not what they seem. Email me at ptaylordmd@yahoo.com if you have any other questions.Thank you,Paul Taylor, DMD
Reply: 2nd opinion/estimate
added: January 19, 2009 - 10:21 PM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Sounds about right for the amount of work diagnosed, but it would not hurt to get a second opinion. I have a strong dislike for HMO dentistry, you usually end up paying more in the end, through markups, and add-ons, and the quality is usually worse.Second opinions are usually not free. There is a small cost for the examination. I do free second ops for my friends that are stuck with plans that I don''''t take, but otherwise, I charge less than $100 if the xrays are already available.I hope this helps.
Reply: 2nd opinion/estimate
added: January 20, 2009 - 9:14 AM
Cost Estimate: $ No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Thank you for your question. I would strongly encourage you to stay with your PPO. An HMO will only cover least cost alternative..ie: removable partial denture. You should check to see if your dentist is in the PPO network. If he/she is out of network, you should consider switching to an in network dentist to maximize your insurance benefits. This would most likely reduce your out of pocket. We are in-network with most PPO''''swww.delmarviewdental.com858-481-8848
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