Dentist/Dental Insurance Question

[crazycakes]

I know this is really a question for the dentist's office, but they are closed on Sundays so I am seeking your opinions instead. We will call them tomorrow.

DH had to have a root canal a few weeks ago. The dental office made him pay $664 up front, which he charged to our credit card. He assumed that was our deductible plus the estimated amount that insurance wouldn't pay (20% - MetLife covers 80%).

When I checked our MetLife Claims information, it turns out that the patient responsibility should only have been $386.40 including both deductible and 20% of service. Insurance paid their portion directly to the dentist. We were overcharged by the dentist by $277.60. The charge of $664 has already posted to our credit card.

Has anyone had something similar happen with up-front payments? Did the provider send you a reimbursement check? How long did it take?

Is getting our $277.60 back going to be a huge PITA?

My last dentist sent me a bill after getting paid by insurance. I miss them (they are out of network now)

[trident0]

Not a dentist, but his happened with the eye doctor and a month or so later I got a letter that it had been credited back to my card. It was odd getting a letter for a digital transaction, but I guess that's what they do.

[Dusky]

When I was overcharged by my dentist, they did send a reimbursement check but it took them several months to do so. That place was slow about everything, though.

Talk to the office. Getting a refund from them shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

[fashionx]

DH had to have dental surgery about 2 months ago, and we also paid on our credit card. We ended up over paying by about $50 (insurance covered), and the dental office sent a letter and credited our card within a week or two. I would call on Monday and check in on it.

[315bride]

I would call them tomorrow, have them correct the bill, and ask when you will receive the reimbursement. I would even call regularly until you get the credit to your account. If they are a PITA about it, call your CC complain and contest the charge.

[crazycakes]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I guess this isn't uncommon. I was so used to my old dentist just invoicing me the difference that I was thinking this new place was trying to screw us or something.

I will definitely call tomorrow.