topic Re: Is This A Lot Of Money in Community Chat

Is This A Lot Of Money

Jordan2 — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:51:48 GMT

I have been going to the same dentist for 20 years or more, he is in Nassau County, New York. I have no dental coverage so I pay out of pocket, his fees keep going up and up. I got a cleaning, several x-rays, and exam by the dentist, for $260. This seems rather pricey, I was just wondering what other people pay.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Krimpette — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:56:49 GMT

I'm in the metro-DC area and my recent visit to the dentist for the same work you described cost about the same as yours. Maybe slightly less. But I know my dentist is on the expensive side. But I have very complicated dental issues, so I'm willing to pay the price.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

ahoymate — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:59:01 GMT

A cleaning & exam from my dentist is $250 without xrays. Of course the hygenist cleans & the DDS exams. Large/major west coast city pricing.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Mz iMac — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:01:22 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I have no dental coverage so I pay out of pocket, his fees keep going up and up.

I am not familiar w/NY dental prices. However, since you are paying "cash" you should mention this to your dentist. Ask if he/she is willing to reduce the fees since "cash" is involved instead of waiting for insurance co payment, partial or non payment.

Also, the fact that you are a steady patient (20 yrs), I would be surprised if the dentist tells you no!

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

LTT1 — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:01:40 GMT

@Jordan2

You might get a hefty $ cut off your bill for paying cash like you do!

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

SXMGirl — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:02:10 GMT

@Jordan2, I think for your area that the price is what you will find just about everywhere. I do know that in our area, which is not as affluent (or at least that is the impression), some dental offices offer a cleaning, x-rays, and exam for $99. It really is whatever the market will bear.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

kittyloo — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:03:49 GMT

I don't think you got overcharged. just my opinion.

we just moved to a new town, and had to establish ourselves with a new dr.

dh and i both went on consecutive days for the same "meet and greet" exam.

dr. only asked questions from his corner spot. never even laid hands on dh.

me, he eyeballed a suspiscous spot on my leg, but nothing more. $455.00 each. as we both have medicare there was a out of pocket payment. For whatever reason, mine was about $ 8.00 more.

before we moved here, that same exam was like $250, and then our portion. bigger city, bigger bucks i guess.

at our last dr. dh was getting a routine exam, and dr. noticed dh had a wax ball in his ear, and asked if he wanted him to remove, which he did with a drinking straw. Inserted the straw in his ear, put his finger over the end, and pulled it out. we got billed for $440 for the straw treatment.

sheesh.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

ahoymate — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:06:03 GMT

MD visits paying with cash is one thing, a price reduction, DDS, not so much. Very different billling & income between MD & DDS.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Mz iMac — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:09:47 GMT

@ahoymate wrote:
MD visits paying with cash is one thing, a price reduction, DDS, not so much. Very different billling & income between MD & DDS.

I was thinking about that. But, the OP stated she has been going to this dentist for 20 yrs! That should account for something.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

PA Mom-mom — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:20:31 GMT

@Jordan2 I actually think they are giving you a break.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

ahoymate — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:26:43 GMT

If you have a dental school nearby go to their clinic. Half price for cleaning & exam. You get 3rd or 4th year dental students who work on you. They are supervised & work under a licensed DDS who oversees their work & care for patients. Generally it's a good experience.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

jannabelle1 — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:32:52 GMT

I just went back and looked to see what I paid for my dental visit in September. The hygienist did the cleaning, no x-rays, dentist did the exam and we discussed my options for an old filling that broke the prior week. I live in the St. Louis, Missouri area and the cost of living is lower here - that said, I get a 10% senior citizen discount and a 5% discount for paying the balance due in full (I don't have dental insurance). My total due after the discounts was $95.I think when I have x-rays, it adds around $50 to $60 additional.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

ALRATIBA — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:40:20 GMT

I'm in Manhattan ... going to my guy about 10 years ... on the East Side.

Semi-annual cleanings cost $140 ... annual x-rays run another $100.

I have Dental-Save and those amounts are discounted. So - I think you could add another 10% or 20%.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Jordan2 — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:52:30 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Jordan2 wrote:
I have no dental coverage so I pay out of pocket, his fees keep going up and up.
I am not familiar w/NY dental prices. However, since you are paying "cash" you should mention this to your dentist. Ask if he/she is willing to reduce the fees since "cash" is involved instead of waiting for insurance co payment, partial or non payment.
Also, the fact that you are a steady patient (20 yrs), I would be surprised if the dentist tells you no!

I guess I stand corrected, he isn’t overcharging me! @Mz iMac, as for giving me a discount, he knows I don’t have insurance, I pay cash often, no break. Between my mother and me we have helped make him a wealthy man ( he has a boat, home in Florida, and takes many vacations). He is in his late 50’s, his son is also a dentist, working with him. I get the feeling he will retire soon because he has cut back on his hours.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

NYC Susan — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 00:14:58 GMT

@ahoymate wrote:
MD visits paying with cash is one thing, a price reduction, DDS, not so much. Very different billling & income between MD & DDS.

I have a friend who pays cash for everything, and her dentist gives her a reduced rate. I also know someone who had lost her job (and benefits), and her dentist also gave her a reduced rate because she was due for a checkup and no longer had insurance.

So I wouldn't generalize. Some doctors will do it, some won't. Same for dentists. (And some who are in groups can't do it. Doctors and dentists in solo private practices are much more likely to reduce rates. But I would never assume one way or the other, and would definitely ask.)

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

BirkiLady — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:54:40 GMT

I live in Lincoln, NE and recently had the identical procedure. (Please be aware the cost of living is much lower than your area.) Nor do I have dental insurance. Also paid the bill in full by check. My check was for $139.00 after the 10% ($155-$15.50=$139.00).

Our DDS has given all his patients 10% off if paying in full with cash or check (no credit cards) at the time of service. (Saves his office staff billing, mailing costs, and they receive their capital immediately.) It's my understanding many DDS in our community deduct 5-10% for cash payments at time of service. (May be an incentive to keep patients in their practices rather than going to the Dental School at UN-L, which is an excellent schoool.)

I've paid for all my extensive dental work in this manner and saved a significant amount of money over the years. It kind of takes the sting out of dental work!

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

NYC Susan — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:57:06 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I have been going to the same dentist for 20 years or more, he is in Nassau County, New York. I have no dental coverage so I pay out of pocket, his fees keep going up and up. I got a cleaning, several x-rays, and exam by the dentist, for $260. This seems rather pricey, I was just wondering what other people pay.

It doesn't seem pricey to me. My mother was charged nearly that last week, just for a quick exam and cleaning, with no x-rays.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

SeaMaiden — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:57:42 GMT

@Jordan2 That sounds normal...his checkup exam fee alone runs about $150...with X-rays, cleaning...it all adds up. If you have a dentist you trust, that does good work....does not push extras on you and you have been going there a long time...feel fortunate. There are a lot of bad dentists!

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Janey2 — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:59:44 GMT

Sounds about right. Mention to the DENTIST you are paying out of pocket. I get a break, not a lot but it helps.

Re: Is This A Lot Of Money

Mominohio — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 23:59:46 GMT

I have a pretty pricey dentist and even here in Ohio, the same work you listed costs about the same. We pay maybe $1 or $2 for a visit like that with no deductible as my husband has such great insurance. Blessed to say the least.