A kick below the gum line.
After a routine checkup, my regular dentist recommended I visit a periodontist — “the best” in Tallahassee — who could address my receding gum line, a procedure that shouldn’t be more than $1,000-$1,500.
After my visit a few weeks later, I was presented with an estimate of over $6,000. They pushed me to schedule before leaving the office. They offered me credit plan and “easy” payment options. But the real kicker came yesterday, when the periodontist’s receptionist left a voice mail offering me a “ten percent discount off the top” if I took advantage of one of the open time slots they had available next week.
I felt a little ill. I immediately thought of The Simpson’s discount medic, Dr. Nick Riviera.
Is this what it’s come down to? How does any medical practitioner think this is a good idea? On any level? Is this part of an overall marketing strategy? Why not offer a fair price to begin with? What’s next? Cash back if you bleed less on the ER floor? Group discounts if more than one person is injured at a time?
This is one area where I don’t want discounts. I want a fair price to begin with and an honest interaction from beginning to end. For a periodontist with very good ratings, I expected a little more thoughtfulness.
So what are you going to do?
hey how are you man? i’ve got a second opinion scheduled for tomorrow. my own dentist was taken aback by the price tag. the discount offer was just appalling.
Watch out. It’s possible it ain’t just the pricing strategy that’s shady.
Read up all you can about the recommended procedure before you decide. I blindly followed the perio’s recommendation like I pretty much would with any doctor (plus he was on staff at my longtime dentist’s office). So I only did my reading after getting hit with a huge bill, and discovered I probably didn’t really need the procedure in the first place.
My lesson learned: Doctors, and not just insurance companies, are in it for the money too.
yeesh. thanks for the advice. shall be heeded. hope you’re well AK.
Here’s the good news Michael, it’s not all like this, some people, businesses are responding to the current pressures by becoming better at what they do, what they offer, who they are. As for your gums use a softer brush.
If that’s the case, this periodontist should open a hard-sell marketing practice. Hope you’re well David.