Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/06/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I received root canal treatment at Precision Endodontics (McMurray, **) on January 21, 2025 by Dr. **** *******, DDS. Before my appointment, I provided my insurance details (***********************) and explicitly confirmed my expected copayment in writing with the office.Precision Endodontics originally quoted my estimated copay as $380. Due to financial hardship as a graduate student, I asked if using my own CBCT scan (from a prior provider) would lower the cost. They explicitly confirmed via written messages that my final patient responsibility would be $212 if I provided my own CBCT scan.Relying solely on this confirmed quote of $212, I proceeded with treatment at their office despite having other options closer to my residence.On the day of treatment, I signed a formal Consent for Treatment form explicitly confirming my copayment as $212 and immediately paid this amount after my procedure. At no point was I informed that my final cost might increase.Two weeks later, Precision Endodontics unexpectedly billed me an additional $342.32, raising my total cost to $554.32an increase of over 160%. Their explanation: they mistakenly assumed my insurance coverage was 80% when in reality, it was only 50%. This was their miscalculation, not mine.Despite multiple attempts to resolve this issue in writing, Precision Endodontics refuses to waive the additional charge and has threatened to send my balance to collections.This is a clear case of misrepresentation and deceptive billing practices, as I based my financial decision entirely on the quote they provided. I am now being unfairly forced to pay for their administrative mistake.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/10/2025

  As a new patient at Precision Endodontics, the patient was provided with paperwork to read, complete, and return. One of the forms in the new patient paperwork is the Practice Policies, which specifically outlines the financial policies of the office. The Financial Agreement, which was signed by the patient, states Your clear understanding of the terms of this Financial Agreement is important to our professional relationship. Please ask if you have any questions about our fees, Financial Agreement, or your responsibility.
  Precision Endodontics files dental claims as a courtesy to patients. The office is not responsible for how a patients insurance company handles its claims or for what benefits they pay on claims. The office can only assist patients in estimating what their portion of the cost of treatment will be. It is the patients responsibility to be familiar with their insurance benefits.
  The patient was provided with an estimated out of pocket amount of $212 for her root canal therapy. The treatment was billed to her insurance. The Explanation of Benefits that we received from the patients insurance, along with payment, showed that the patients out of pocket for her root canal was $510, a difference of $298 from what she was estimated.
  It is unfortunate that this was the outcome, but it does happen. This is why it also states in the office Financial Agreement, signed by the patient, If your insurance company disallows a claim or only pays a portion of the amount owed for services, payment for your balance is your responsibility.
  The office is willing to work with the patient, if paying the full amount at once is not an option.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/10/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  
  Thank you for forwarding the business's response. However, I reject Precision Endodontics explanation. While the practice policy states copays are "estimates," the dental office explicitly and clearly confirmed in writing my total responsibility would be $212. I explicitly relied on their stated price when making my treatment decision due to severe financial constraints as a graduate student.
  Precision Endodontics initially quoted approximately $380 by phone, including a CBCT scan. I informed them I had a recent **** scan to reduce the cost. Their office explicitly confirmed in writing (messages attached previously) that my responsibility would decrease significantly to $212 upon providing my CBCT scan. I explicitly relied on this precise, written assurance to choose Precision Endodontics, despite the inconvenience of driving one hour to their office. On the day of treatment (Jan 21, 2025), they again explicitly confirmed my copayment as $212 on a signed Consent for Treatment form, with no verbal or written indication that my costs could substantially increase afterward.

  
  Despite this explicit and documented confirmation, Precision Endodontics subsequently billed me an additional $342.32over 160% more than their clearly communicated estimatedue to their own incorrect insurance verification. This drastic change was neither communicated nor suggested as possible before treatment began, causing severe financial distress.
  
  The issue here is not simply an estimate discrepancy but a substantial misrepresentation of patient responsibility. The dental office failed in its responsibility to accurately confirm insurance coverage, misleading me into making a financial commitment I explicitly would have avoided had I been properly informed.

  
  Resolution Requested:
  1. Precision Endodontics should honor the explicitly confirmed pre-treatment estimate of $212.
  2. The additional charge ($342.32) should be waived due to their administrative error in insurance verification.
  3. Confirm in writing that no collection actions will occur.
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******