Dr. Barrett Rochefort, DDS

I've been seeing Dr. Rochefort for over 20 years and I highly recommend him. He is honest and ethical but more importantly competent. I've had various dental issues that could have easily been taken advantage of by unethical practioners. I have a slight fracture in one of my wisdom teeth that he has been monitoring for years. Could have performed a procedure but so far has done nothing but keep an eye on it.

I don't know if the Dr/Staff is unethical or simply unknowledgeable, but either way Dr. Rochefort balance-bills.



If a dentist or physician is a preferred provider with an insurance plan (say, Delta Dental), then they have signed a contract with the provider that they will charge a specified amount for a service. They may agree to accept $200 from the insurance company for a cleaning.



However, the provider (Dentist) will have their own rate that they charge for the services to people who come in with no insurance and want to pay cash. These people, they may charge $275 for a cleaning. This is because they do not have an insurance company representing them.



So if you are insured and go in for a cleaning, the Dr has agreed to accept payment of $200 for the cleaning from the insurance company. That should be the end of it for you.



However, some providers, whether through questionable ethics or ignorance, will do what is called balance billing.



Once you have gone to the dentist and provided all your insurance info, you should be done. You are being balance-billed if you then receive a bill from the dentist for the additional $75 they would have been paid if you had no insurance.



If you go to a dentist and have a service performed that your plan states is covered 100% then you get a bill from that Dr, contact your insurance company before paying. While you may sometimes have to pay a percentage, it is better to be safe than sorry. If you pay the balance billing to get the provider off your back, you will spend a great deal of time calling and writing to get your money back.