Office Policies
SCHEDULING
In general, we try to minimize children's loss of school days. Late afternoon appointments are reserved for checkups and cleanings for school-aged children. Operative treatment for all children is recommended for morning hours, and very young children are always seen early, when they are less tired. Please understand that sometimes your child may have to miss a few hours from school for necessary lengthy operative appointments. These are excused visits, and allow us to devote the necessary time to treat your child properly without distractions. We will help accomodate your family as long as you make your scheduled appointments .
We serve a large community and try to accomodate a large neighborhood. Please allow 48 hours for apointment changes or cancellations, so that we may accommodate all of our patients who may want your appointment time. If you do not provide us with this courtesy, you will be charged 50 dollars for each missed visit.
If you wish to schedule a consultation with the orthodontist, please let us know so that we may help you find a convenient time for your visit.
We offer a second opinion from another one of our specialists. We in fact, encourage it. We want you to feel comfortable with your doctor and the proposed treatment; we understand everyone reqiures their own level of assurance.
PAYMENT for Dental Services
Thank you for choosing KCDH to provide dental care for your child. Because we value our relationship with you and believe that the best relationships are based on understanding, we offer these explanations of payment for services:
1. Payment:
a. Payment is due in full by cash, personal check, or charge card at each appointment as services are rendered.
b. We accept Master Card, Visa, American Express, and Discover. A charge of 4% applies when using credit cards.
c. We offer Healthcare Financing through Care Credit.
d. A charge of $30.00 will be assessed on checks returned for any reason. After two incidents of returned checks, we will no longer accept checks.
2. Dental Insurance:
a. Dental insurance is a contract between your employer and the insurance company. We cannot influence how much of our fees your insurance will cover. Your benefits are determined by the policy your employer purchased.
b. We will file the claims electronically; however co-pays and deductibles are due on the day of the treatment.
c. Please be aware that the person bringing the child for dental care is legally responsible for payment of all charges.
d. If payment is denied by your insurance carrier for a procedure the doctor recommended and you agreed to have your child receive, you may be responsible for the unpaid balance.
3. Pretreatment Authorization:
a. Some insurance companies request an estimate of the work to be done and the fees to be charged before determining their benefits to you (i.e., treatment using general anesthesia).
b. We will provide your insurance carrier an estimate of necessary treatment and our fees.
c. It will be up to you to determine if you wish to proceed with treatment before the insurance benefit is determined.
4. Appliances:
a. The cost of the appliance (space maintainer) is due the day the impression is taken. This is necessary because our office must pay for the lab fees when appliances are ordered, not when they are completed.
b. Space maintainers are not always covered by dental insurance.
5. Emergency Treatment:
a. All emergency treatment must be paid in full at the time the service is rendered.
b. If an emergency occurs after normal business hours, an “After Hours Office Visit Fee” will be charged.
Please remember, even if you have insurance coverage, you are responsible for payment of your account. Please realize that insurance coverage is a relationship between you, the insured patient, and your insurance company. Your understanding and cooperation with this matter is greatly appreciated.
