SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA…
When Dr. Richard Wolfert DMD opened his dental practice in 1988, a standard dental insurance benefit covered about $1500 a year in treatments. In 2015, Dr. Wolfert, AKA “The Toothboss”—the name of his South Weymouth, MA-based dental practice—says the benefit is roughly the same.
“It’s basic math and economics. The price of dental care has risen just like all other goods and services have over the past two plus decades. So, wouldn’t it make sense that the benefit for care (fillings, crowns, dental Implants) should have gone up as well?” said Wolfert. “Unfortunately, the benefit maximum, which should be around $7,000, is still stuck at $1,500 when the cost of that benefit to the insured has increased considerably. The result is that many of my patients are not getting what they need and deserve out of their dental benefit.”
Wolfert does recommend a few strategies. For example, asking your dentist for a prioritized treatment plan from your dentist and maximizing your benefit every year until your treatment is completed.
“If you have the need for an expensive procedure and it can be “phased”, “evaluate what’s remaining of your dental benefit in September or October. Then you could schedule your first appointment for November or December and your subsequent one for early January,” said Wolfert. “This essentially allows you the use of two years’ worth of insurance benefit to get ideal treatment(s) done, utilizing your hard earned benefits to their maximum.”
Many dental practices also offer the use of credit card or financing agencies to help patients afford the out-of-pocket costs that often times occur with major treatments. For example, Dr. Wolfert’s practice suggests using Lending Club/ Patient Solutions, a company that offers financing plans–6-, 12-, 18-,24 and 48-month terms are available–to fit any patient’s budgetary needs. The Toothboss also accepts all major credit cards.
“We do our best to help patients understand their needs and receive the most ideal treatment,” said Wolfert. “We don’t run a cookie-cutter operation here. Each patient is an individual with different needs and desires and we try to support that by suggesting multiple ways they can approach their care. “
Adds Wolfert, “Ultimately the best way to avoid the need for major dental treatment is to take care of yourself and take 100 percent advantage of the preventive services (x-rays and cleanings) that your Insurance benefit provides to avoid the need and expense of major treatment.”
The Toothboss is located at 1121 Main Street in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. For more information on The Toothboss, visit Dr. Wolfert’s website at www.toothboss.com or call 781-335-0604 to schedule a consultation.
About The Toothboss
The Toothboss offers: comprehensive examinations (written treatment and treatment plan provided); cosmetics; crowns, bridges and tooth-colored restorations; partial and full dentures; periodontics (early cases treated); oral surgery; restoration of conventional and small diameter implants; and emergency services (24-hour emergency phone number available).
The Toothboss accepts most insurance plans. They also accept payment from most PPO and indemnity plans, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Delta Dental. They also accept all major credit cards and have arranged payment plans through LendingClub.
To schedule an initial consultation, please call 781-335-0604. For more information, visit www.toothboss.com.