07/21/10
I am a single mother that scheduled an appointment with Coast Dental located in Largo Florida. It is one of the Dentist Offices that was on the approved Doctor List through the Medicaid Universal U-First Insurance program.
On my Insurance card it states $0.00 Copay and $0.00 Prescription. I specifically verified that there will be no fee at my initial visit before making the appointment.
On July 21 I entered the office, signed in and was given first time patient paperwork. I filled out the forms as you would at any other office.
Once called back, the woman who preforms the X-Rays walked me to the X-Ray area and handed me additional paperwork. She stated that I must sign the document authorizing to get the X-Rays done and that I will have to pay $60.00. I was confused at this point & let her know that I was under the impression there was no copay and that it says so right on my insurance card. I explained that I didn't understand what it was for. She told me that it was for the visit & that we couldn't continue the exam if I did not sign the paper. I really needed the dental work since I haven't been able to afford to goto the dentist in years. I explained that I had no money, no checkbook or credit card. She said that was fine, so I signed it. She then preformed the X-Rays, being pretty unprofessional & asking a lot of personal questions. She made me feel very uncomfortable for the duration of the visit.
Once finished with the X-Rays, the woman asked me to be seated in the exam room. The doctor came in & preformed the exam. The whole time all I could think about was that paper that I signed and how the lady kept contradicting herself when I questioned it's purpose.
My proposed treatment plan came out to $8,000.00, but I didn't question that. All I could think about was that one form. The Dr left the room & the woman came back. I asked her again what the purpose of the form was and she stated that it was for an Oral Cancer Screening. I asked why I was blatantly lied to and whether it was necessary or not. She stated that the screening must be preformed during the exam, but never answered my question. I said you lied to me, you said it was for the visit. She then smiled & said "well i wouldn't call it lying..." then began laughing.
Well what would you call it??? FRAUD, maybe EXTORTION. That's what id call it!
At this point I just wanted to go home. I asked for copies of all the paperwork I signed but was told that the paperwork was theirs and that I wasn't allowed to obtain copies.
They printed out my Proposed Treatment Plan, and that was it. The paper says that I owe them $119.98.
This is the most deceitful pratice I have ever come across!
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