Re: Orthodontist Fees

[Guest guest]

I've never heard of an ortho adding so much more because he " is an

integral part of the surgery. " Yes, he will work closely with your

OS in planning your treatment and keeping tabs on you after surgery,

but I highly doubt he will be in the operating room. I'm pretty

sure that as a surgery candidate an ortho may charge a little more

for his care for the extra work, but that is probably in with the

original estimate. I was told that my braces cost more, they were a

total of $5400 for original ceramics then later changed to

stainless, because I am older (only mid 20's) and my teeth would not

move as quickly as a teens. Also, I had a more severe case then the

average person, and required a longer treatment time. This

explained why I would pay more than a 14 year old who only needed to

be in braces for a year. But $2000 more. How much was his complete

cost estimate? How much is the second orthodontist's estimate?

Personally, if my OS felt that something was a bit fishy with a

prospective orthodontist, I would find another orthodontist. If you

have a good relationship with your OS, listen to him. And always

trust your gut feeling.

Connie

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input. The 1st Ortho's estimate was

$6,500 plus $2,000 for his surgery fee. I didn't

connect with him during the consult and I felt he was

pretty harsh about my appearance so I met with a 2nd

ortho. The 2nd's quote is $6,200 with no additional

fees. I really liked him and his office staff and if

I have the surgery would like to use him. He referred

me to the OS who I really liked as well. The first

ortho was going to have me start all the prep work as

well as pay 25% of his fees upfront before I even

would meet the OS he works with which left me not

comfortable witih using him. After talking to the OS

I'm pretty irritated that he charges these additional

fees and the hard sell he was putting on me to have

the surgery without going into any of the pros and

cons. Both orthos are estimating 9-12 months of

braces before the surgery.

Kim

__________________________________

Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005

http://mail.yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

After reading the messages between you and Connie, it sounds like you

already sort of " know " which OS/OD team to go with. That first OD

sounds, frankly, like an SOB! I have never heard of the ortho being

involved directly in the surgery, neither have I heard of extra

surgery fees. And to the tune of an extra $2,000?!?!? He sounds like

he's after $$$$ and not after your best interest or providing quality

care. Please, like Connie said, go with your instinct, which from

what I can tell, is already saying that you should go with the 2nd

team- liking them and their treatment and consideration of you is

Very Important. And you'll be working a lot with the office staff, so

you want to like them too! It is rather telling that the second OD

didn't even know what you were referring to regarding the first OD's

quote! And, it says a lot that the OS was not just surprised, but

Appalled about it! MY gut feeling says to at least NOT go with that

first guy! For what it's worth, I'm in upstate NY (to give you

reference). My braces were quoted to me at $4600 for ceramics. That

was prior/independent of the surgery component. My OD discussed with

me the option of surgery. I could have chosen to not have it and had

him just correct what he could only orthidontically (my ortho

treatment would have been very different from the outset granted). My

quote for the braces was the same- given to me before my decision

regarding surgery was made. It would have been $300 - 400 less if I

didn't get the ceramic braces. That price was " All-inclusive " : preop

and postop ortho, retainers, as many damned appts. as I need!,

getting me in on emergency or emotional crisis basis too, everything-

cleaning supplies like special tooth brushes, wax, threaders for

floss, it even " included " a gorgeous get-well bouquet (sp?) the

office had delivered to me after my surgery (not that I knew about

it!).

Ok, that's my $0.02! You could always try a third OD to get an even

more measured and balanced sense of the other two you have met with.

the more ODs you meet (within reason!) the better comparison and

understanding you have for each. Good luck with your decision and let

us know what you finally decide. We all know what a tough call it can

be to try to figure out which doctors to go with! I had a hell of a

time deciding on my surgeon!

Katja

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the input. The OD definitely listed it on

my quote as a separate price item and talked about it.

My biggest obstacle right now is insurance. The OS

is pretty confident that he can get Blue Cross of

California to cover this but it could involve appeals,

etc. He can get a pre-auth no but it will only be

good for 45 days and alot can happen in a year. My

other option is to switch to Kaiser but I can't switch

until April at my open enrollment. My OS confirmed

that Kaiser has an excellent unit in Oakland that does

400+ of these surgeries a year and they are top notch

but he doesn't think my case is severe enough to get

Kaiser's approval for the surgery. If I switch to

Kaiser and they don't approve me for it then I have to

wait another year to switch back to Blue Cross and

it's anyone's guess if I'll still be at the same

company or they offer Blue Cross.

Thanks,

Kim

__________________________________

Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005

http://mail.yahoo.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

None of the three OD's I went to a consult with indicated such a

fee. However, one of the OD's was nearly $2,500 more than the other

two. All indicated the same types of treatment more or less, and

each would have done consults with the OS. And each is equally well

regarded professionally. The good thing about having one OD so much

more expensive, is that it made it really easy to decide not to

include him in the team! lol And he is my neighbor! UGH! That

part wasn't as nice. I wave, but I haven't given an open smile at

this point! And I am looking at 2 years in braces. Oh well.......

I would suggest going to a few more OD consults. In my area they

are free or very low cost. They are really worth it, and it also

gives you an idea of the variabilities in the different OD

approaches. And it would give you a better context to evaluate the

first OD's actual fees against other OD fees. I would highly

recommend this to anyone facing this process.

Let us know what you find out!

Hugs,

Fran

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

There was not going to be an extra fee with my ortho. When I go to

UNC, I'll let you know if they add anything in.

~Rene

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

My ortho does have a extra fee. They said it's because the doctor has

to consult with the surgern, etc.

[Guest guest]

Kim - My total Ortho bill came to $5080 and there were no extra fees

included. My OD has worked on surgical cases with my OMS before, but

as far as I know, my OD isn't present at my surgery. Now, if he wants

to come and watch, he may, but I better not get charged for it. LOL.

Actually, my Chiropractor asked me a few weeks ago if he could come

and watch my surgery. I told him I had no problem with it, but it

needs to be discussed with my OMS when I get closer to my

surgery.~~~~~ Diane (Idaho) :-)#) (emoticon for: happy with braces)--

- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " klmiles_1999 "

<klmiles_1999@y...> wrote:

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim I guess I my braces were one of the cheapest I have found

to pay. I payed $3800.00 total. I paid 972.00 and then 110.00 a

month for 2 years at no intrest. My Orthodontist Set no extra fees

what so ever. I am 8 days post op and My ortho is seeing me once a

week like like my Oral Surgeon. Even though I live in a very small

community I beleive I had some of the best treatment possible. To this

day no complaints.

Dennis~

In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " klmiles_1999 "

<klmiles_1999@y...> wrote:

> I have another question regarding the braces for the surgery - the

first ortho I

> met with was adding a $2,000 surgery fee to the cost of my braces

stating that

> he was an integral part of the surgery and would be part of the

surgery. The

> 2nd ortho I met with said there would be no extra fees and didn't

know what I

> was referring to. I met with the OS and he was disturbed by it

stating that the

> ortho was not a surgeon and unless he has malpractice insurance

shouldn't

> even be included in the surgery. Has anyone's ortho been in the

surgery and

> if so have you paid extra fees? The OS thinks the fees are

unwarranted and

> his way of making extra money.

>

> Thanks for any feedback.

>

> Kim