Payment & Office Policies

Cost

The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make dental care affordable and to make sure that you realize your insurance benefits.

Fees

In an effort to keep fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

• If full payment is made prior to the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount since no further bookkeeping fee is needed.
• To fit your individual needs for extensive treatments, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
• For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER and AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Insurance

Understanding the alphabet soup of dental insurance plans can cause confusion and lead to misunderstandings for many people. 

The most common forms of insurance are PPO and HMO, standing for Preferred Provider Organization and Health Maintenance Organization.  

With PPO insurance plans, the companies negotiate fee schedules with dentists in exchange for the dentist being added to a list of "preferred" providers.  Dental insurance can help people pay for dental treatment on a limited basis.  Most insurance plans have a deductible and pay only a specified percentage for each type of treatment.  Insurance plans also have a yearly maximum available for dental care.

Most PPO plans cover preventive care, cleanings, check-ups and x-rays at 80-100%.  Basic care including root canal therapy, extractions and fillings are covered at 80%.  Major care such as crowns (caps), permanent bridgework, and full and partial dentures as well as periodontal (gum) care are often covered at 50% with some exceptions. Many insurance companies have a yearly maximum of a $1000. Dental insurance is not cumulative, so if you don’t use it, you lose it. We accept many forms of insurance such as PPO plans, but we do not contract or negotiate fees with these companies. 

HMO’s are very limiting in the amount of care that can be provided in a dental office. We do not participate in any HMO programs.

Contracting with insurance companies can often put care providers in the position to rush treatment or cut corners. Dr. Hutchison's patients do not have to worry about the quality of dental care received in our office.  We never rush or attempt to force treatment and we stand behind our dentistry.  

As a courtesy to our patients we are happy to file your insurance claim and answer any questions to the best of our ability.