Sep 25, 2008 11:31 pm US/Pacific
Call Kurtis: A Dental Bill Bite
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Melanie Randel needed some dental work, "I do have, you know, nerves where you brush. The nerves are exposed and I have pain in my mouth". Melanie contacted her dental insurance HMO Healthnet. They sent her to Scripps Dental Group in Sacramento. Her appointment was on May 19th.
Melanie was told she had ten teeth that needed fillings to protect the nerves. Scripps Dental told her the cost for her treatment would be $2508.00. "I was astounded at how much per tooth it was. I just thought that was ridiculous and I said well I can't afford that and she said well not to worry. You can apply for this credit card." Melanie was signed up, and approved in minutes for the Care Credit Card which is designed to be exclusively used for medical expenses.
But Melanie had concerns and called Scripps Dental to tell them she wouldn't be having the work done with them after all. She told us, "on that first week or second week in June, I got my first statement, and the entire amount of the bill had been charged, the whole $2508.00".
Melanie immediately called Scripps Dental, "she said well there's nothing we can do. It's going to take six to eight weeks to get that credited back". But when August came and still no credit, she contacted me for help. "I had hit the wall with it. I was mad, I was frustrated."
We left a message for Scripps Dental and Melanie sent a certified letter to their office, and the California Board of Dental Examiners. Melanie only wants one thing, "I just want my card credited back the amount of money that they fraudulently charged on it, the $2508.00". We actually spoke with the office and they told us the credit had been given. Melanie went on line and sure enough, she was finally credited. "Fabulous, I'm relieved, fabulous, and I'm just so relieved that it's over."
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