Financial and Insurance
 We know how difficult it can be for our patients to find a great dentist who can provide them with excellent care at an affordable price. This is especially true if you are entrusting the dental care of your entire family to our practice. We know you have questions about insurance coverage, payments, and the claims process. Here is some information from about insurance and financial information so that you can make the best decisions possible for your family. Why This MattersThe American Dental Association says that nearly half of all American adults put off going to the dentist because they are worried about the cost of dental procedures. Also, 80 percent of people who are putting off their dental care know it will cost them more money in the long run. Sadly, putting off dental visits only makes any issues you have with your teeth and gums worse. The earlier you come in to visit our office and keep your twice-yearly dental cleanings and dental exam, the more likely you are to pay far less for your dental care than if you put off coming in to see our dentist. Increasingly, researchers are finding that good dental care throughout life improves overall health and reduces the likelihood of severe tooth decay and gum disease. We know that gum infections and gum disease contribute to heart disease, dementia, inflammation in the body, and diabetes complications. Dental health is critical to overall health. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to come in to visit us twice a year. First StepsWhen you visit our practice for the first time, it is crucial that you complete all of our new patient paperwork completely. The more information you give us, the better we can help you with claim forms, co-pays, and deductibles. If you fill out our paperwork in advance, we will also provide you with information about how much you will have to pay for dental services at the time of your visit. Of course, we will be happy to discuss your claim with you as well as your insurance company. We want filing your claim and paying for your dental care to be as stress-free as possible. Also, take the time to read our financial policy in full. That way, if you have any questions about how we manage your claims or how you pay for your dental care, you will be able to ask one of our staff when you visit us. Please understand that as the patient, you are responsible for your payments, deductibles, or co-pays to your insurance company. Your First VisitWhen you are a new patient, you will see our dentist for a consultation. That way, you will know quickly if you need additional treatment. For example, nearly all dental insurance companies cover twice-yearly cleanings and X-rays, so you will either pay nothing at all or you may pay a reduced amount. However, your dental insurance will most likely pay a partial amount for other services our dentist provides, such as dental crowns, fillings, bonding, and root canals. You will want to know as soon as possible if you need any additional treatment, and at the consultation, our dentist will be able to tell you if you need more treatments moving forward. He can also answer any questions about your dental health you may have. Once your initial consultation is complete, you will be able to make appointments for additional cleanings and treatments. Do You Have Payment Options?We are very sensitive to how difficult it can be for our patients to pay for treatment. We feel strongly that everyone deserves excellent dental care. With this in mind, we have several payment options and plans to help you pay for dental care for yourself and your family. First, once your consultation is complete, our office can provide you with an exact list of fees for all of the procedures we perform. We can also provide you with estimates of your out-of-pocket expenses so you will know how much money you need to pay before any procedure is done. We think this information is critical for your dental care. Second, we know that the less our patients have to pay out of their own pockets for treatment, the better. That is why we have partnered with the top insurance companies to streamline claims, deductibles, and co-pays. If you are not sure whether our office takes your dental insurance plan, you can always give us a call! Third, we are committed to making dental payments easy. For that reason, we offer payment plans as well as discounts for our patients. If you want to take advantage of these services, our office staff can sit down with you to discuss your options. What Should My Next Steps Be?If you are thinking about making us your dentist, there are some steps you need to take. First, contact our office to set up your consultation. You will then want to fill out our new patient forms. It is really important that you fill out all of your insurance information and then fill out all of your health history. This information helps us in two ways. It allows us to get authorization and fee estimates from your insurance company so we can process your claim quickly and get you an estimate on treatment costs. Also, your medical history helps us learn about you and what chronic diseases you have that can affect your dental care. Next, you will come in for your consultation and discuss any necessary treatments and information on your general dental health with our dentist. You will receive a list of treatment prices and fees and an estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. You can also discuss payment options for treatment with our office personnel. Finally, you will be able to schedule follow-up appointments and treatments so you will be ready to step into your brightest smile yet. Remember, our office is always here to answer questions and give additional support whenever you need information. Ready to come in and visit our dentist? We would love to have you join our practice! Contact Riverwind Dental at to set up your consultation. Reach out to us today. |
