Planning for Your Care
Our goal is to make your therapy as affordable as possible. Whether that means being a strong advocate for you with your insurance company, developing a payment plan to meet your needs or provide long-term third-party financing, we are committed to doing whatever is necessary to make your treatment within your reach.
Our goal is to deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. If you have dental benefits, please provide our administrative team with the information prior to your appointment. Our office will call your dental insurance company for an explanation of benefits in order to maximize your insurance reimbursement. During you consultation of highly experienced administrative team will set down with you and discuss payment options to make your treatment affordable for you.
General Questions
What can I expect at my first visit?
Your initial visit with Norwood Park Periodontics will vary based on the issues or concerns you present with. What will be consistent is the intake process; we will gather your reason for referral , dental records, insurance information and medical history prior to your visit. Dr. Hosters and his team will review this data prior to your visit so we are prepared for your case. Upon entering the office, we will take your vitals and review your medical history. Dr. Hosters and Agnes will then perform a comprehensive clinical examination including an oral evaluation and radiographic survey. They will review their findings and discuss treatment options that same visit. This same information will be shared with your referring dentist. Once you have an understanding of your condition, you will then meet with our patient coordinators to review your treatment plan, discuss insurance assistance and develop a financial agreement that works best for you. At any time during your visit, we encourage you to ask questions to ensure you understand your condition and options.
Why am I paying a consult fee?
Most people think a consultation fee is payment for the time Dr. Hosters spends examining you in the chair. As a surgical specialty office your care involves an intricate coordination between your general dentist, physician and Norwood Park Periodontics. At the completion of your consultation appointment Dr. Hosters and his team spend considerable time corresponding with your general dentist and physician gathering records, imaging, and medical clearances. Our goal is to coordinate your treatment in a seamless fashion. Furthermore, our dedicated administrative team spends time verifying your insurance, coordinating benefits with your treatment plan and designing custom payment options.
How does third party financing work?
One of the most common concerns of our patient base is “how will I afford my treatment?” At Norwood Park Periodontics we recognize that your oral health is an investment. Our goal is to create a financial agreement that works best for you. In addition to processing your dental insurance we have “third-party financing” to make your treatment affordable. Our third-party financing company allows you to finance your treatment over an extended period of time. We proudly offer a 12-month, 0% finance option through our reliable financing partners. During your consultation, one of our administrators will guide you through the seamless application and billing process and help streamline your payment plan. An added benefit of our third-party financing company is their extensive network of general dentists. If your treatment with Norwood Park Periodontics involves coordinating the restorative aspect with your general dentist, this option may prove beneficial during that phase of your treatment.
Having this payment option really does allow you to be at-ease during your treatment phase so you don’t have to worry about paying for all of your treatment costs all at once. If you have any questions related to the financial aspects of your treatment, please call. We are here to help
What records will I need transferred from my general dentist?
When you come to our office for the first time, there are a couple of important things you should bring with you. Most likely, your general dentist gave you a referral slip indicating the reason for your consultation with Dr. Hosters. In other words, why are you visiting our office today? We’ll also need a copy of your most recent x-rays. That way Dr. Hosters can assess the areas of concern and provide you with the best possible treatment.
What will my insurance cover?
Before answering that questions, let’s address the word “cover. “ Insurance policies are designed to assist you in the cost of your dental treatment; they are not intended to cover treatment at 100%. In a periodontal specialty practice, dental insurance plans typically assist you with the commonly requested procedures such as examinations, x-rays, preventative cleanings, scaling and root planning treatments and extractions. More comprehensive plans will assist in bone grafts and implants. It is important to keep in mind that benefit levels and payment values are based on your employer’s contract with a particular plan. Typically the more an employer invest in a plan, the higher the benefit to the employee. All plans have an annual dollar amount limit set by the dental insurer. Norwood Park Periodontics understands the financial limitations of dental insurance plans and consequently offers third party financing and payment plants to make your treatment affordable.
Why do I have a missing tooth clause?
If your dental plan has a missing tooth clause, it means that the insurance will not cover the cost of the replacement procedure if the tooth was extracted or fell out before the current coverage began for the member. To put it in health insurance terms, it is similar to a pre-existing condition, for which the insurance plan does not want to be responsible. Members who have a plan with a missing tooth clause would then have to pay for the procedure out of pocket. Norwood Park Periodontics understands the financial limitations of dental insurance plans and consequently offers third party financing and payment plants to make your treatment affordable.
What is a frequency limitation clause?
A “frequency limitation clause” refers to the number of visits and procedures permitted during a specific period. Your plan may limit the number of times it will pay for certain procedures. Some patients may need routine care or follow up visits more often to maintain good oral health. If your plan has a “frequency limitation clause” these additional visits may not be assisted by your insurance. Norwood Park Periodontics understands the financial limitations of dental insurance plans and consequently offers third party financing and payment plants to make your treatment affordable.
What does it mean to be "In Network"?
“In-network” refers to a dental care provider that has a contract with your dental insurance plan to provide dental care services to its plan members at a pre-negotiated rate. The pre-negotiated rate is often significantly lower than the cost of keeping a business open. Norwood Park Periodontics has a made a conscious decision to not allow an insurance company to dictate the level of care we provide and consequently, cannot afford to participate with “in-network” plans.