I recently switched from my employer dental plan to my wife's dental plan. It is an HMO and unfortunately my current dentist does not take the insurance. But I was willing to switch based on the savings of going with my wife's insurance and low and behold, this Monarch dental place is just about a mile from my house! When I got my insurance cards, I called them to schedule an appointment. Somebody answered the phone, asked me to hold and before I could respond, put me on hold. Not a biggy. So I held, and held, and held, and held for about 15 minutes! So I hung up and called right back... Guess what? Put on hold again! This time I waited about 10 minutes for somebody to answer. I explained my situation and said that I wanted to schedule an appointment for my entire family to have a teeth cleaning. I was told that their policy is to just do an exam on the first visit and then schedule a teeth cleaning after that. I am no spring chicken and have had teeth cleanings all my life. This is the first time that I have been to a place that just won't schedule me for my initial visit with cleanings and x-rays, etc! I was floored! To add fuel to my already burning fire, the girl was very rude and hurried. Like I was bothering her! I explained to her that it is difficult enough for my family to get out of work and school on one occasion much less to have to turn around and come back a few days later when this can be knocked out on the first visit. I was told that this is their policy and they won't change it. Again, talking down to me like I was a common criminal or something! So I bid this girl a good day, hung up the phone and immediately called my insurance company and switched PCP's! I would rather drive 10 more miles to the medical center then to be treated at a substandard place like Monarch. When I called the new PCP, the girl laughed and said that they get this a lot with "former" Monarch patients! Well, I'm glad I'm not a former Monarch patient and I reiterate my headline, "I wouldn't take my dog to this place!"
more