OMNI dental uses billing techniques that are not disclosed to the patient at the time the services were rendered. On October 3,2011 I went to OMNI Dental Group to have a dental Wellness exam which was covered by my insurance provider Humana Dental. After filling out extensive paperwork and they were attempting to get credit iformation which I spefically did not provide since I informed them that I was here ONLY for the covered exam. When I was escorted into the dentists chair they proceeded to take gum measurements and then the did x-rays. At no time was I told that the x-rays were not part of the exam that I had specifically authorized. My insurance covers two dental cleanings and they refused to provide these cleanings unless I went to one of their perodinists. This visit would have been in excess of $100. I took the time to call their office and spoke to the assistant who answered the phone. I informed her that I have had some peridonental issues for over 30 years and have always had normal cleanings done 2 or 3 times a year. My family has had a history of poor teeth. She informed me that even when the peridonist saw me I would by required to have deep cleaning by OMNI. They would not provide me with the service I had asked for. So I canceled the appointment and asked for a copy of the dental records that they had been paid for. I was informed that I would have to pay another $25 just to get them so that I could go to another dentist. They were holding my records hostage in an attempt to get me to use their services. On October 25, 2011 after I had payed the office copay amount I received a bill for $77.00 for x-rays. I called the office and questioned the charge and they said that it was not covered by my insurance and that I was responsible for these charges. When I complained that I had not authorized any charges beyond the normal exam, they asked me if I told anyone not to do this. I said that since OMNI was a preferred service provider for Humana I thought that they knew what they were doing. Evidently what they were doing was trying to milk Medicare patients for services that were not covered and that the patients were never told that there would be additional charges. I am thankful that I did not provide any credit card information since they would charge that to my account under the onerous clauses that they put into the one sided contract as a condition of service. This pattern of fraud is a detreminent to the senior poplulation. I would be glad to testify in whatever hearing that you would conduct. I want to stop these people before they take advantage of more senior citizens.
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