We want our clients to be able to comfortably afford
dental care. We will gladly discuss our financial policies with you before beginning your
treatment. We accept Mastercard and Visa, as well as personal checks. If you carry dental
insurance, we will accept assignment of benefits and will bill for any balance not covered
by your insurance. If you do not carry dental insurance, we ask that you pay the full
charge for your initial visit at the time of service. This will vary depending upon your
choice of services, which we may also discuss before treatment. In case of extensive
needs, Dr. Lestage prefers to develop a plan which will initially treat your most pressing
needs according to a time schedule which would allow you to arrange payment.
Dr. Lestage does not participate in any dental insurance plans that
require your treatment by
a participating dentist (HMO or DMO plans). However, he does accept one preferred provider plan
(PPO), United Concordia, for military dependents. United Concordia will
also offer coverage for military reservists and their dependents as of February 1, 2001, for all reservists that have joined the plan. The
benefits will be the same as for active duty military members.
Even though Dr. Lestage belongs to no other PPO plans, -
those that have a list of participating dentists such as Delta Dental, members of those plans may still utilize their PPO insurance with
Dr. Lestage. However, they will be asked to cover the charges
themselves and will be reimbursed by their PPO at a lower benefit level.
Of course, we will accept the assignment of benefits for all traditional, indemnity-type dental insurance plans and will bill the client for the balance once insurance payment is received.
Dr. Lestage strongly supports a new concept in
dental benefits plans called DIRECT REIMBURSEMENT. This concept minimizes interference in
decision-making between you and your dental care provider. It can greatly simplify the
benefits process for all involved. It can easily be established by most employers and can
prove to be very cost-effective for both employer and employee. The American Dental
Association website provides much free information about establishing such a plan. If you
visit, click on the green button 
, then proceed to Dental Insurance. Or,
by calling a toll-free number (1-800-232-7698), the ADA will work with the employer at no
cost to determine if this type of plan would be cost-effective for them and will help them
design one if the employer desires. The phone number and website link are provided below.
If you elect to proceed to the ADA website at
this time, we hope you will return shortly to learn more about our practice. Thank you.
The American Dental
Association (ADA)
http://www.ada.org
DIRECT REIMBURSEMENT
ASSISTANCE
1-800-232-7698
