ZOOM! Insurance and Healthcare Many dental practices today are moving toward a "fee for service" only, meaning no dental insurance is accepted and the patient must pay in full at the time of dental service; therefore, if you have dental insurance, you, the patient, must file directly for reimbursement from the insurance company.  While we completely understand this approach, it is not what we want to resort to in our practice.  We consider the filing of the insurance a service to our patients, and want to continue to do so.  At the same time, we would like to offer some fact regarding dental insurance. We will not allow dental insurance to dictate our treatment recommendations.  Insurance companies are in the business to make money; meaning they want to collect premiums, not pay out benefits.  They use delay techniques such as "pre-estimate" tactics, or telling clients that their dentist is above the UCR - "usual and customary" fees.  Many insurance companies have not upgraded their fee schedules of UCR since the 1970's.  In 1971, dental insurance yearly benefits were $1000 per patient per year, yet today the exact amount is available per patient per year as their benefit.  Adjusting for inflation alone, this should be at least $4,500! Many routine dental services are not covered by insurance companies. The benefit the patient received is determined by how much the employer pays for the plan.  The less expensive the plan, the fewer benefits. Your insurance plan is a contract between your employer and the insurance company - not us.  Any complaints should be directed to them - not us.  All patients are financially responsible for their accounts.  Often times, we do not receive payment for 3 to 12 months because insurance companies have not paid benefits, and patients have waited for us to negotiate it.  We are more than happy to assist in any way we can, but ultimately the account must be paid by the patient in a timely manner. With the increase of "managed care", the patient is losing their right to choose their own dentist, and losing their freedom to receive quality dental care.  at the same time, dentists receive less compensation for their services.  Who is ultimately the winner here?  The patient does not receive high quality dental care, and the providing dentist does not get paid... the insurance company is the only winner!

Our fees are based on a combination of our costs, our time, an our high quality dental care.  The treatment recommended by our office is NEVER based on what an insurance company will pay.  We will make every effort to maximize a patient's benefits, but a healthy and beautiful smile is not achievable with dental insurance dictating the treatment!

3008-B South Church Street Burlington, NC 27215 336-584-7004 info@mcelhaneysmiles.com Hours: Mon-Wed 8:30 - 4:00 Thurs 8:30 - 2:00 Payment Options We are happy to offer payment plans through Wells Fargo and limited in-office financing for our patients. We have secured convenient, no down payment, affordable monthly payment plans for dental treatment of any cost. These plans make it possible for patients to receive the dental care and the smiles they have always wanted, without cost becoming the limiting factor. Again, we do file dental insurance as a courtesy to our patients, as well as offer all major credit card options.

© 2008 Mary Lynne McElhaney, DDS. All Rights Reserved Site Managed by Sites Computer Resources, Inc.