Should I ask for reimbursement?

LourdesM69347 wrote: ↑ My dentist told me that I needed a root canal and referred me to an endodontist. The Endodontist then told me that I didn’t need a root canal. I was charged $150 for the cbct scan and consultation. Should I ask my dentist to to reimburse me since she was incorrect in telling me I needed a root canal?

LourdesM69347 wrote: ↑ That is the whole story. I went in for a cleaning, they took an X-ray they “saw something” and told me I needed a root canal, gave me a referral and sent me on my way. At the endodontist they forced me to get a cbct scan, the dr performed the cold press test (sorry I don’t know the correct terminology) she called my dentist, disappeared for about 20min and came back and said that after viewing the X-rays that my dr had taken and the cbct scan that I do not need a root canal at the moment. That I had a filling on that tooth and that is possible why the dentist thought a root canal was needed. That I could possibly need one in the future but as of now I don’t. That is the whole story. I don’t appreciate you calling me a troll. Why would I waste my time creating an account to ask this question?

Also, my dentist doesn’t do root canals.

I should also note,I was charged $150 as stated before for the cbct scan and consultation. I thought that was the end of it. But no, my insurance was then billed $436. My insurance will not cover the cbct so I don’t know if the endodontist is going to bill me the difference. My point is that a root canal would’ve been $358 and if I end up getting billed the difference well.... I might as well have just gotten the root canal.

LourdesM69347 wrote: ↑That is the whole story. I went in for a cleaning, they took an X-ray they “saw something” and told me I needed a root canal, gave me a referral and sent me on my way. At the endodontist they forced me to get a cbct scan, the dr performed the cold press test (sorry I don’t know the correct terminology) she called my dentist, disappeared for about 20min and came back and said that after viewing the X-rays that my dr had taken and the cbct scan that I do not need a root canal at the moment. That I had a filling on that tooth and that is possible why the dentist thought a root canal was needed. That I could possibly need one in the future but as of now I don’t. That is the whole story. I don’t appreciate you calling me a troll. Why would I waste my time creating an account to ask this question?

Also, my dentist doesn’t do root canals.

I should also note,I was charged $150 as stated before for the cbct scan and consultation. I thought that was the end of it. But no, my insurance was then billed $436. My insurance will not cover the cbct so I don’t know if the endodontist is going to bill me the difference. My point is that a root canal would’ve been $358 and if I end up getting billed the difference well.... I might as well have just gotten the root canal.

coilz wrote: ↑ Perhaps you should've asked your dentist or the endodontist what the " something " was they saw, then they can proceed to explain to you the reasoning behind the root canal. I think the key word presented was you dont need a root canal " at the moment", which means things can change in the future. Think if it as you already have your foot in the door with the endodontist, the consult was already done, so you won't need to go through that again when/if you need a root canal in the future.

Billing on the other hand is something you should be on top of. Understanding your insurance policy is your own responsibility unfortunately. If you're concern about how much a procedure is going to be covered by your insurance, you can always ask for a pre-determination before anything is done, that way every one knows what the split is.

User131439 wrote: ↑ Wow, people responding are being absolute dicks. A dentist is a professional - we learn to trust these people and for the not lead us astray. OP maybe made some missteps, but geez people have some compassion.

I went through a similar situation. Moved to a new town, had pain in my teeth so visited a dentist. They said I need molars removed and sent me to a specialist. Costed me a bit of money for the dentist + specialist. Didn't end up getting them out because the cost was astronomical.

Moved back home a few months later and went to my regular dentist, and they said my molars were fine. No issues or reason to have them removed.

I wouldn't bother fighting the fees though. I would probably not go back to that dentist. Find a better one.

User131439 wrote: ↑ Wow, people responding are being absolute dicks. A dentist is a professional - we learn to trust these people and for the not lead us astray. OP maybe made some missteps, but geez people have some compassion.

I went through a similar situation. Moved to a new town, had pain in my teeth so visited a dentist. They said I need molars removed and sent me to a specialist. Costed me a bit of money for the dentist + specialist. Didn't end up getting them out because the cost was astronomical.

Moved back home a few months later and went to my regular dentist, and they said my molars were fine. No issues or reason to have them removed.

I wouldn't bother fighting the fees though. I would probably not go back to that dentist. Find a better one.

LourdesM69347 wrote: ↑ That “something” was a shadow. Which I’m assuming was the filling. I know I should’ve asked more questions but dentists give me anxiety as it is so I just took her recommendation.

As for the billing. When I arrived at my appointment they told me that I HAD TO get that cbct scan in order to proceed. I felt forced to do it. At the end of the day now I know I should’ve asked more questions and done my research ahead of time. Thank you for your response.