Office Guidelines

Appointments

When time is reserved for you within our schedule, it is exclusively for you. We begin preparing for your treatment in advance of your arrival. During our morning huddle, we discuss each person’s treatment to be done that day, the materials to be used and what equipment to have ready. Some procedures such as retainers, nightguards, or crowns and bridges require that we call our lab in advance and let them know there is a case to pick up that day. We respect your busy schedule, and we ask that you have the same regard for us and not allow any late arrivals, cancellations or failed appointments. We maintain the right to charge for missed appointments. A pattern of late arrivals, cancellations or failed appointments on your part may result in our asking you to proceed with your dental care elsewhere. If you need to change an appointment, we ask you to please give us at least 72 hours’ notice.

Payment Options

Your portion is expected when our work is complete. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. To offer payment plans, we partner with Care Credit. They allow patients to move forward, finish their treatment in a timely manner, and pay for it over time. They offer payment plans without interest, and require credit approval.

Financial & Insurance

We accept almost all insurance. Our office is a non-restricted dental practice. That means we work with any plan that allows you the freedom to choose any dentist. Usually this type of plan is called a PPO plan. Many of our patients have dental insurance, and we always help them maximize their benefits.

As a courtesy we will file insurance claims for you, and we will accept assignment of benefits from insurance companies that offer. We expect you to take care of your portion beyond estimated benefits at the time of your visit. The balance is your responsibility whether your insurance company pays the claim or not. In order to file your claim, we ask you to provide us with information such as your insurance card and the subscriber's insurance identification number. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. We are not party to that contract. Your employer is responsible for choosing a policy for you from a list presented by their insurance broker. They can choose a good plan, a mediocre plan, or a poor plan depending on their budget and generosity, or be limited by the HR person's understanding of the insurance company's coverage inclusions. Our practice is committed to offering, as a choice, the best treatment possible for our patients and we charge what is usual and customary for our area. You are responsible for covering the fees regardless of some insurance company's arbitrary determination.

For insurance benefit questions, please call us at (703) 497-9709.

Out-of-Network
What Does It Really Mean?

Dental insurance is very different from medical when it comes to the concept of networks. Language can be confusing from the insurance company. If it is not a true dental HMO (DMO), you can visit almost any dentist. Many dental insurance companies allow out-of-network benefits to be paid, but it is not in their best interest to tell you so. In most cases, the out-of-network benefits to an independent provider are often equivalent, and sometimes more. Some out-of-network benefit plans require you to pay the office first, but then reimburse you quickly because we file the claims electronically.

To become a “provider”, a dentist must pass a credentialing evaluation. This is to ensure the dentist is licensed, is up to date with continuing education, has a clean history, and has no actions filed against him or her by a regulatory agency. These are the type Dr. Muller participates with as an independent dentist. Others, in addition to credentialing, require the dentist to sign a restrictive contract. The dentist then essentially acts as an employee of the insurance company. The typical contract restricts the dentist to providing certain procedures for that company’s members using certain techniques and materials, and for a discounted price. Dr. Muller has refused to alter and compromise his treatment to the extent these plans require. You should know that these corporation networks are typically structured around a large clinic model, where you are given less attention and time, and it just feels like an assembly line. The whole experience can be quite impersonal. You can end up less than happy, possibly searching for an alternative. Only you can decide what level of dental care is right for you.

We see many families who went to a network office when their job changed benefits, but are now happily back at our independent office because they feel they are treated better here. Once you decide to visit Dr. Muller, you can rest assured that you will not be lost in a dental factory. You will be given attention and the respect that you deserve within a higher standard of care.

Of Note