Hello. I recently received an $1800 dentist bill, of which 80% I don't believe I should be liable for...

Basically, I went to the dentist several times last year, and apparently the charges for 2006 exceeded my dental health yearly limit. Therefore this $1800 are the charges in access of that limit.

I was very upfront with the dentist prior to treatment - I didn't want any treatment done that was not at least 80% covered by my insurance! She assured me on two separate occasions that the charges out of pocket would be very minimal... She is extremely disorganized, and to her surprise, and obviously mine, the insurance company rejected $1800 in claims.

I don't feel this is right, or lawful. I was explicit that I was in no pain, and the treatments could wait if they were not covered.

Please advise,

Thanks,
Mark

No, you are liable since you got the treatment. You have a responsibility to check before each visit exactly what and how much each treatment was going to cost. I do that myself, we sit down and they tell me each procedure and the exact cost and how much was allowed.

The office person was able to tell me within a few dollars exactly where my insurance balance was.

If you just agreed to treatment that you needed, without checking and double checking.

But when you go to a doctor including a dentist you sign where you are responsible for ALL the bills, but the doctor will agree to bill the insurance first. Most dental insurance has yearly maximums, many plans have a 1000 max per year, not all of them but a lot of them.

Next certain things like crowns only pay at 50 percent not 80 percent on standard plans, and on them often less if your insurance is not in effect a number of years.

Now of course I don't know your plan, just basic standard plans I have seen.

But when at the doctor, you are legally responsible for all charges if the insurance refused to pay.

Sorry to here this and sad thing is that I hear this all the time. I work for Medical/Dental insurance and I work in the appeals department. So you have too choice if you feel like services where needed because they would effect your medical health then I would try to appeal the issue on your medical coverage( but ONLY IF SERVICES ARE CONSIDER TO BE MEDICALLY NECESSARY). 2ND I would have a few workds with my Denist.. really next time ask for prices before getting it done sad to say but you need it in writing...