ComplaintsforMeadowlark Dental

• Initial Complaint

  09/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This dentistry has sent me a bill by email in August 2024 for an exam and cleaning performed in December 2023, this is the first bill that I have received. The dentist marked it as over 90 days past due. I am contesting this bill because an exam and cleaning is covered by my dental insurance at 100% and any extra services need to be approved by me if there are going to be extra charges, in writing. If there was going to be extra charges, I expect to be billed appropriately and on time. I never received any statement or bill in reasonable amount of time, even though this company has my mailing address, email address, and phone number. I have never seen in writing where I was given the amount due that would not be covered by the insurance company previous for performing any extra services that the dentist decided I needed during my exam. I called my dental insurance company, and they confirmed that the dentist needs to provide an estimate billing for services, not fully covered by my insurance prior to receiving the services. Today, September 3, 2024. I have asked the dentist to send me in writing their proof that I consented to these extra services I am being charged extra for. They did not agree to send anything in writing other than one email bill. Even if my mailing address had changed (which it has not), they certainly had my email address and phone numbers and never contacted me previously. Even if I had moved my physical Residential location, because my husband and I owned/rented a few properties for various areas where we work in *****************, they still had all of our correct contact information. They are declining to provide any written proof to my mailing address, or email address and I am filing this complaint before deciding if I will go to file court documents. Im requesting that all of my charges on my account, be waived and brought to zero. I am also strongly requesting they do not touch my credit report, nor my husbands.

  Business response

  09/06/2024

  Dear Ms. ******************* are very sorry for any inconvenience you are experiencing.  Meadowlark Dental strove to provide the best quality care with completely transparent business practices, and never to leave a patient with an unexpected bill.  As sometimes happens, we are unable to access up-to-date insurance information and can only offer estimates for the cost of care at the time it is rendered.  We apologize if anything was missed during your appointment in December 2023.  Meadowlark Dental closed as a business in June of this year (2024) due to unforeseen personal circumstances.  We sent out a letter to every person who was seen as a patient in the past 3 years, so you should have received a letter stating our closure as well as how to access your dental record.  When medical and dental practices close, the patient records require stewardship.  Our patient charts, including yours, is being cared for by Pacific Crest Dental Group in *****, ******, who can provide you with copies of your dental record, balances, and any services rendered, as well as perform any continuing care you may need.  We no longer have any access to your record, including correspondence to or from your insurance company, or any notes related to your treatment or related charges.  It may be best to reach out to Pacific Crest Dental Group for any specific questions and documentation.  

  As part of the closure of the business, our patient accounts with outstanding balances were taken by another group, **************, in attempt to collect them on the business's behalf.  We also do not have access to their records, and they do not have access to your dental record.  They only have access to any outstanding balances as listed in our ledger on the day we closed. You may also want to reach out to them with further questions.  Please let me assure you that none of the entities involved are trying to get you to pay something that you do not owe or harm your credit score. Unfortunately, with the dissolution of the business and the separation of different aspects of your account, information can get lost.  Please reach out to Green Prairies or Pacific Crest Dental Group for more assistance with your situation.

  Kind Regards,

  Meadowlark Dental

  Customer response

  09/06/2024

   
  Complaint: 22239063
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I called the business today and they told me they are still in practice and still in business. The website shows hours of business operates Monday through Thursday. They have told me that they handle their own billing. Please explain why the details that you have given me do not match the employee. I talked to today at this dentistry. The attached picture shows the operating hours weekly. The phone number for this business I called is ************ and I spoke with the receptionist directly. This is false information that they have published in their response. The business has my billing account active. Please respond why this business is forwarding incorrect information to the BBB.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********

  Business response

  09/22/2024

  Good Afternoon,

  I am sorry, I am not sure who you are referring to who said "They handle their own billing."  Can you please clarify for me?  As I stated in the last reply, your dental records are available to you through Pacific Crest Dental Group.  This may include billing codes and ledger balances, but sometimes that information is lost when data is transferred from one system to another.  Pacific Crest Dental Group does not bill for any services that you received at Meadowlark Dental.  Any outstanding balances have been given to *****************, a collection group whose interest it is to collect on the debt, as part of the business closure.  I cannot forgive any debt that has been incurred nor can I reimburse you as the business has closed.  I will try to obtain copies of your dental records for you from Pacific Crest Dental Group if you would like me to, in an attempt to verify that your balance is accurate, however, as I stated previously, I no longer have access to this information routinely and you would need to give permission for me to access it as it is protected by HIPPA.  I no longer have any role in either the stewardship of your chart nor the billing for services rendered.  I am not sure why you did not receive a bill prior to the recent one which you have written a complaint about.  Sometimes there are negotiations with the insurance companies regarding coverage of care and it can take a long time to work it out.  My former billing specialist and front desk person would be the best person to ask if any of us had the records any more but we simply don't.  Our business closed abruptly due to unforeseen circumstances and we did our best to ensure a smooth transfer despite having only days to prepare.  I myself have felt surprised by medical bills that come months later and have been counselled that the medical provider was working on coverage before sending the bill on to me.  I am very personally sorry for any surprise and trouble it has cost you.  I can try to help you, but as I stated previously, I can only check that the treatment was billed correctly, I cannot forgive the debt nor reimburse you as our company is now out of business.

  Sincerely,

  Rachel Jablonski, DMD

*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. ↩