Payment options

We believe that payment for dental treatment provided in our office should be straightforward, convenient, and consistent for patients with dental insurance or flex plans as well as those paying solely out of pocket. Our policies reflect this. Please don’t hesitate to inquire about fees, payments or dental insurance claims. We routinely provide an itemized treatment plan with current fees after an initial exam.

• New patients pay in full for their initial appointment at the time of service to establish credit in our office. Family members on an account established for a year or more are excepted. We accept cash, checks, money orders and most bankcards. See Dental Insurance, and/or Extended Payment Options, if applicable.

At subsequent appointments, once credit is established:

• We offer a courtesy for payment in full at the time of service so long as there is no existing balance on the account: 10% for checks or cash, and 7% with bankcards.

• Optionally, full payment is due 60 days from the date of service. There is no interest or finance charge during this time and no courtesy applies. Statements are mailed monthly. Unless arrangements have been made prior to treatment, balances become overdue after 60 days, incur finance charges and possible collection action.

The 60 days allows patients paying out of pocket to spread payment over time (for instance, 1/3 at the time of service, 1/3 in 30 days and the final third at 60 days). For those with dental insurance or flex plans, 60 days from date of service is ample time to receive funds from their carrier or plan administrator and forward them to us along with their check or credit card number for any difference. Insurance or flex plan checks can be simply endorsed with “Pay to Jackie Jones” then your signature.

• Appointments with fees greater than $400.00 require a minimum 1/3 deposit at the time of service unless the payment in full at time of service for a courtesy option is chosen or financing has been arranged.

EXTENDED PAYMENT OPTIONS

• We offer access to various extended payment options OAC, arranged prior to treatment. Please ask for details or see new extended payment options.

Dental Insurance

What it covers. Dental insurance is a benefit provided to employees or retirees and their families by a private or public employer. It is a contract between the carrier, the insured and the employer or plan sponsor; we are not a party to this contract. The carrier is responsible to the insured and the insured is responsible for payment to us. An employer chooses a benefit “plan” balancing cost versus coverage. It is intended as an aid toward affording important dental treatment, not to fully pay for all of it.

Rather, most dental insurance plans cover a portion of dental fees for common preventative and restorative treatment. The exact amount covered is defined in each plan as a percentage of “Usual, Customary and Reasonable (UCR)” fees. The UCR for each treatment is set by the insurance carrier and may not necessarily match our fees or other prevailing fees in a particular area.

How much it pays. Dental insurance has its own terminology, less than easy to decipher. The only reliable way to determine exactly what a particular plan will pay for a given procedure is via a request for “Predetermination of Benefits (PreD)” - our office will gladly request one for all of part of your recommended treatment plan.

Dr Jones recommends treatment options based on each patient’s individual needs, following her diagnosis and the highest standards of care. These options may or may not match your insurance coverage. She believes that treatment decisions are best made by you and your dentist, not your insurance company. That said, we’ll make every effort to schedule treatment and submit claims to match your insurance plan’s requirements.

• We’ll submit dental insurance claim after each appointment, regardless of payment option chosen. Patients must bring their dental insurance card to their initial appointment, where we’ll photocopy it and also store the data in our secure electronic database. If applicable, we’ll provide a secondary insurance claim form for the insured to file upon receipt of primary benefits.

• We do not accept assignment of insurance benefits and request that carriers send payment to the insured.

We’ll submit a dental insurance claim after each appointment, regardless of payment option chosen. Patients must bring their dental insurance card to their initial appointment, where we’ll photocopy it and also store the data in our secure electronic database. If applicable, we’ll provide a secondary insurance claim form for the insured to file upon receipt of primary benefits.

Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)

Our office welcomes new patients enrolled in CHIP. We accept assignment of benefits, file dental insurance claims for covered treatment and accept CHIP compensation as payment in full up to the benefit year limit. Payment comes directly to us; there is no copay. Once the benefit year limit is reached, patients may choose to appoint for additional treatment payable directly to us under our normal financial policies or delay treatment until the next benefit year. Call 1-877-543-7669 or visit www.chip.mt.gov for CHIP applications and details.

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