Payment Options
For your convenience, we accept cash, personal checks, money orders, major credit cards, and CareCredit. Payment is expected at the time services are performed.
When more extensive dental care is necessary, financial arrangements can be made with CareCredit. Learn more by visiting CareCredit.com or contacting our office. Ready to apply? Apply online for your CareCredit card today. You’ll be smiling bright in no time.
Insurance
As a service to our patients, our practice accepts most dental insurance programs. Our staff will prepare all the necessary forms for your dental benefits. However, we remind you that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company. Please keep in mind that you are responsible for your total obligation should your insurance benefits result in less coverage than anticipated.
The fees charged for services rendered to those who are insured are the usual and customary fees charged to all our patients for similar services. Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with our usual fees. You should be aware that different insurance companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available.
Dear Washington Dental / Delta Dental Patients,
I am writing to my patients who have dental insurance benefits from Washington Dental Service or other Delta Dental companies. You may or may not have heard about recent changes. We’ve tried to talk with everyone who’s been in the office in the last 6 months, but if we’ve missed you, we apologize. At this time I’d like to be clear about several things:
1. I’ve been increasingly challenged by insurance companies interfering with treatment decisions. Technically, someone who is unlicensed, doesn’t know you, doesn’t’ know me, and doesn’t know the diagnosis should not be allowed to dictate our clinical choices.
2. I’m disappointed that ever increasing financial pressure is applied to you to take away your choice in providers.
3. All the dentists in Washington state have been lumped together and labeled as “overcompensated” by WDS without considering the specifics of each individual practice. After 2 years of price freezes, across the board 15% fee cuts were applied in June.
As a result of the above, I’ve decided not to renew my contract with WDS/Delta Dental effective January 1st 2012. We instead will be an out of network provider for your insurance. I’m sad over the end of a 31 year association with WDS, but more importantly disappointed over the potential disruption it may create in our relationship with you. Please be assured that we desire to continue as your first choice for dental care. We are not intending to divorce anyone. We want to help you in dealing with financial issues that will occur as a result of my contract termination. We’ve included a fact sheet of most interesting points, but we understand that it can’t address all questions. My staff and I are hoping to help you make the best informed decision for your dental health. Please contact us by phone, email, check our website, or any other method desired so we can help answer questions you may have.
Please accept our apology for any inconvenience we have created. We truly desire to remain your first choice.
Sincerely,
Gary
Gary Bramer, DDS
WDS & Delta Dental Fact Sheet
We have been a contract provider with Washington Dental service since 1980
* As of June 15th, 2011, WDS has decided to reduce contract dentist reimbursement by 15% or more depending on the particular plan.
* While on contract with WDS, we are allowed to only charge fees from their fee schedule.
*The fee schedule is used to determine the charge for all of our patients.
*We cannot charge patients for the fee reduction difference while on contract. Patients are only charged co-payments based upon the required percent of the individual plan and procedure.
*We believe that the same fee schedule should apply to all patients. We will not charge non-WDS patients additional to make up the difference.
*We will no longer be a contract provider after January 1st 2012. We will be an “Out of Network” Provider.
*However, we will honor the current contract up to that point.
*The specifics of your contract will be available to you, but not to us the provider. We encourage you to contact your Human Resource person or insurance provider.
*WDS will still pay your benefits to a non-contract provider, but at a lower rate (your co-pay will be higher).
*When our contract with WDS expires, you, the patient will most likely be receiving a letter from WDS stating that we are no longer a “Network Provider”. We will still be here to take care of all of your dental care needs, and to assist you with your insurance.