My dentist charged me $12 for a single REGULAR 4x6 PHOTO (and I mean REGULAR photo, NOT x-ray), is that wrong?

Question

While cleaning my teeth, the dentist was making small talks and even told me a few jokes. Somewhere in the middle of the jokes and the high whirring noise of the sucking and scaling machines, I heard something about x-rays and pictures and a panoramic of my teeth. I have never had my pictures taken at the dentist before, so I assumed he was talking about x-rays in general. After the cleaning, I was still a little disoriented when he proceeded to take the photos (and I mean regular photos like you and me would take with a digital camera, NOT x-rays). He took 1 of my teeth, and one of my full face. To be honest, I was a little surprised and uncomfortable, especially when he took the picture of my full face, but I thought no harm done, plus they were really nice to my 3-years old, so I just went along with it. To make a long story short, a series of x-rays were taken after the photos, then I was sent to the receptionist to schedule an appointment. And that was when the receptionist...

...nicely informed me that the x-rays were covered under the insurance, but not the pictures, which were $12! She asked me very nicely how I would like to pay for the 2 pictures (which in actuality was only one, since they were printed together on a single 4x6). I was taken aback, but it was after 6pm and I was really hungry and tired, so I paid up the $12. I was actually very happy when I left, thinking about how friendly and nice they were to my daughter. It must be hunger, but it didn't hit me that the charge was unreasonable until I thought it over dinner.

To clarify, I feel that the charge was unreasonable because, first of all, I am sure that they know the insurance wouldn't pay for the pictures, since they weren't medically necessary, at least not for my case. I was only there for cleanings, not cosmetic dentistry, so it's not like I need a before and after. So if they were going to charge me, I feel like they should have informed me before, not after. They should have...

... have told me what the pictures for for, how much they would cost, and whether I wanted to pay for them. And they should have done all this either before or after the cleaning, not DURING the cleaning while I was distracted by all the noises, pain and discomfort. Second of all, $12 for ONE REGULAR PHOTO??? I emphasize the word REGULAR PHOTO here because some people think I'm talking about an x-ray, but I'm not. I'm talking about a regular photo that you take with a digital camera and then print on glossy paper that you bought at Staples! To me, that is one very expensive picture! And it's not like the picture was mine to take home.

I feel that the pictures were unnecessary, and that it was just more or less easy "extra-income." Imagine, 10 patients a day: 10 x 12 = 120!

Please tell me what you think and if it has happened to you. Thanks!

Answer 1

You should not have been charged for something you did not authorize and did not give consent for. Dentists are required to give you advance notice of these things in order to obtain your permission before it's done....especially when there is going to be a fee involved which is not covered by your insurance. Report what happened to your state dental board. If anything else shady happens with this office, go to the police. Dental offices who charge for unnecessary work without obtaining your permission are often involved in frauduelnt and unethical practices.

Police Lodge defrauded by Dentist
http://www.nbc6.net/news/11149141/detail.html?rss=ami&psp=news

Twin Cities dentist charged with fraud and illegal practice
http://www.isanticountynews.com/2002/march/6dentist.html

California Dental Board Dismissed
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_2002_May/ai_85131499

MANHATTAN DENTIST CHARGED WITH $200,000 FRAUD
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2003/may/may15c_03.html

Rochester Hills Dentist Charged with 138 Counts of Medicaid Fraud
http://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,1607,7-164--160474--,00.html

Dentist Sentenced for Drug Distribution
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0207/399368.html

Owner of D.C. dental clinic sentenced, must pay fine
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2007/02/12/daily23.html

California Dentists Charged in Fraud Scheme
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/ca_dentists.html

Answer 2

"Regular" photographs can actually be quite helpful in a thorough examination. I do not do this routinely, but I do make photos of certain patients to help communicate something to a dental lab if I am making something for their teeth. In an examination, I would have expected MORE pictures, believe it or not. There are 5 standard views, plus smile, full face and profile that are commonly used. Here is a sample of these photos. http://members.aol.com/swf08302/composite.jpg (These were taken from the Invisalign site and they are not my photos.)

When the dentist can sit and review these views, it is easier to see problems than when looking directly in your mouth. This is especially true when you see them on a computer monitor! Check this out and you'll see what I mean. (Dentists - this was not for a lecture, so it's not "presentation" quality, if you know what I mean.) http://www.members.aol.com/swf08302/d70ssample.jpg

I am sure that the photos are just part of your record. They show your "pre-op" condition. In the most weird scenario, suppose you sued the dentist saying that something or other was "never like that before," and he has a photo to show that it was. Some dentists will also afix a copy of your photo to the front of your chart so a new staff member, for instance, won't have to go to the reception area and ask your name.

In any event, I would not have charged for the photos and I agree that the dentist should have asked about this first, since he knew the insurance would not cover the service. I would always tell a patient that they need an x-ray, for instance, but still ask if it was alright to take it today.

There is an insruance code for photos, by the way. There is a chance that it IS covered by your insurance, although the existance of a code does not mean it is covered. The code is:

D0350 - Oral/Facial Photographic Images
CDT-2007 definition: "This includes photographic images, including those obtained by intraoral or extraoral cameras, excluding radiographic (x-ray) images. These photographs should be part of a patient's clinical record."

The MEDIAN fee - 50%ile - in the nation is $52! Although this does not specify how many views, I would assume that at least the five standard views would be included. Photos are essential for an orthodontist and I am sure there is a charge. Like x-rays, the charge is not really for the film or paper itself, but for the time spent studying the image to help arrive at the diagnosis. The charge for photos would be bundled into the "records visit" fee, which includes photos, x-rays and models, and the total fee would be $200 or more.

Personally, I'd ask to have the photos submitted. Why not? It is listed under "Diagnostic Procedures," and most dental insurance will cover diagnostic procedures at 100% - if they are covered at all. You AND the dental office might be pleasantly surprised.

Answer 3

Photo's are getting to be a standard procedure at most offices. Especially the offices equipped with the digital x ray and the computer that has a program that downloads it directly into a patients chart, right along with their records. Although you should have been told there would be a charge, if that is what they do. Which I disagree with since there is no charge incurred to the dentist other than the time used to take these photo's. Most offices don't charge for this as it is for "our records," for us to put a face to the chart, so to speak. I'm sure if you call or stop by and inform them, as you have here, that these charges will be removed and you will be reimbursed or credited. This may be beneficial to this office, as they may not realize that patients may actually mind paying this photo charge. This is something they should have let you decide, if you wanted the photo for $12.00 for their records or not. You should have at least gotten one 8x10 glossy for your self! Just give them a call and explain just as you have here, about not just the cost incurred, but their lack of information given to you as to "why" these were needed. I'm sure you will get answers and a prompt reimbursement or credit along with an apology from the dentist. Hope I've been of some help and good luck!

Answer 4

I used to be a dental assistant and we took regular photos of people quite often for different reasons. Please do not take it wrong. It is very helpful in some situations, Im not sure in your situation but yes, it is done quite often. We took pictures of the full face not smiling, smiling, side view ... we sometimes took several pictures
As far as the charge - we charged a flat fee for all the "records" all the pictures and X-rays but Im sure extra was added for the pictures to be taken.

Answer 5

What a story. That is wrong, yes. Full face photo should not be necessary. If they were doing it for dental health statistics/experiment. Then it developing the photos should have come out of their own pockets or research center doing the statistic. I would demand to find out what the pictures were used for. Hopefully not some sick website for teeth fetish.

Answer 6

This is the craziest thing I've ever heard!!
Why on earth would a Dentist take pictures?
I'd get a new dentist and warn all my friends that this guy is a weirdo.

Answer 7

I never heard of a dentist taking pictures. I would call and ask why they were taken.

Answer 8

totally wrong