FAQ at the Front–Desk
Why do I need a consult?
The doctor will need to consult with you prior to your surgery to make a proper diagnosis and determine your plan of treatment. The consult also allows us to determine the amount of time necessary for scheduling your surgery or treatment. Once we have this information we can send your file to our insurance department to verify your medical and/or dental benefits or pre–certify your surgery, if necessary.
Is this covered by my insurance?
Our doctors require a consult prior to many of our surgical procedures. In addition to the reasons stated above this allows our insurance department to check your benefits prior to your surgery date. Our insurance department will mail you an estimate of any out of pocket costs, deductibles or co–pays. Please note this is only an estimate of your out of pocket costs, not an actual guarantee of how your insurance company will process your claim. In cases where a consult is not required or is not possible prior to surgery, deposits and fees will be discussed at the time your appointment is made.
Do you accept payment plans?
We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover as well as cash and personal checks. If these options do not work for you, our billing department can assist you with an application for the CitiHealth card or Care Credit. This is a line of credit, based upon credit–worthiness and may be used for services rendered at our facilities. We are your surgeons and not a financial institution. We are unable to extend credit or finance procedures. This is best provided for you by financial institutions like Citihealth or Care Credit.
Do you accept Medicare?
We do participate with Medicare. Medicare does not cover dental procedures. Medicare covers only certain medical procedures. Medicare does not cover general anesthesia in conjunction with these medical procedures. You will be asked to read and sign a Medicare Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) if you request that we submit a claim to Medicare on your behalf for these services. The ABN form serves notice to you that some services may not be covered by Medicare and you will be responsible for the fees.
Is it going to hurt?
Our doctors and medical staff will do their very best to minimize your discomfort. You may wish to have general anesthesia to maximize your comfort during your procedure.
Do I need to be asleep for the procedure?
The question of whether to have the procedure done under local or general anesthesia is a commonly asked question and is a matter of your own personal preference. Patients generally report a higher comfort level when they are asleep for the procedure. If you are undecided as to which option is best for you, please come in for your appointment prepared for general anesthesia and the doctor will be more than happy to discuss your anesthesia options with you at this time. Prepared for general anesthesia means that you may not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your procedure and a responsible adult will need to be with you to drive you home.
May I schedule the surgery in advance, even though my consultation visit is not until next week?
Of course! We understand that everyone has a busy schedule and needs to be able to plan these things! We can book your surgery date right now. Please note, that after your consultation, it may be necessary to adjust your appointment time and date to accommodate your surgery.
Do I need to bring an x–ray?
A panoramic x–ray taken in the past 6 months that is considered to be diagnostic is required for most types of oral surgery. If you do not have a panoramic x–ray or are unable to obtain one, we will take one for you at the time of your appointment.
Do I need a referral?
Keystone and AmeriHealth insurance plans require referrals from your physician for medical procedures. Aetna medical no longer requires referrals for wisdom teeth, but many Aetna plans require referrals for other medical procedures. Aetna DMO and Cigna HMO require referrals for dental procedures. We recommend you check your insurance identification card and/or speak to your member services department with any questions you have about referrals or your insurance coverage. If you have other questions, please ask us when you are scheduling your appointment. Please remember we are your surgeons, insurance questions are best directed to your insurance carrier.