Is there a state agency that rewgulates dentists?

[question everything]

Meaning, someone where I can register a complaint about questionable bookkeeping?
Thanks

[FarPoint]

1. Every state has a Board

Very strict licensure monitoring

[Effete Snob]

3. I doubt it would extend to billing disputes

Whether the dentistry was performed according to professional standards and whether the bill was correct are two different things.

[Irish_Dem]

5. Yes state professional boards can get involved in billing problems.

If the billing is deliberately fraudulent and/or illegal or unethical in any way.

[Effete Snob]

7. That's unfortunate

...since those sorts of things tend to be backscratching exercises. If it is possible to get it over to consumer affairs that is preferable, but typically they will respond if they aren't the right place.

In any event, the relevant information for Tennessee healthcare provider complaints is here:

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/report-a-concern.html

[Irish_Dem]

11. The person who holds the license is responsible for ALL staff in the clinic.

If a bookkeeper is doing something illegal or unethical it is the responsibility of the license holder.

[Effete Snob]

12. I provided the link to the TN Board of Health above

They have a site that does intake for all of the medical boards, to which I already provided a link up there ^^^

Typically, if one files with the wrong state agency, that agency will tell you or refer you to the correct one. I had a financial complaint about a WA business one time that I sent to their banking regulator, who kicked it over to their insurance regulator.

[Irish_Dem]

13. State med boards hold license holders to much higher standards than consumer/business agencies.

But yes the OP should check it out to determine the appropriate agency.

But the state dental board might be the appropriate agency.

OP should be able to document that he tried to resolve the issue with the dentist
in question first.

[Effete Snob]

2. What does it have to do with being a dentist?

The practice of dentistry is highly regulated. Your complaint does not seem to relate to the practice of dentistry.

The conduct of business is another matter. It sounds as if you have a general consumer complaint about accounting, which is likely more appropriate for the TN Consumer Affairs Division. Complaint form here:

https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/consumer/file-a-complaint.html

However, if you are having an ordinary billing dispute, then you will be told to file a civil claim with your county small claims court:

https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/final_guidelines_and_helpful_info_for_people_in_gen_sess_court_-_may_2013.pdf

[Irish_Dem]

10. We don't have have enough information to determine if it is a legit board complaint or not.

And I assure you, billing problems most certainly can be a board issue.

I have seen a number of medical professionals censured or license suspended because of billing problems.

When I was doing a clinical internship, one of my supervisors was obviously operating in a highly unethical way
around billing issues related to his clinical practice. I mentioned this to him on several occasions. His license was eventually suspended for 1 year and he had to undergo supervision himself.

(No I did not turn him in, one of this clients did.)

[progree]

4. In Minnesota I'd start with the Minnesota Dept of Commerce /nt

[question everything]

14. Thanks. I will. See more explanation below

[Irish_Dem]

6. The dentist is being very foolish to risk a board complaint over billing issues.

Or risk civil suit.

The dentist should be discussing the problem with you.

I have seen medical professionals be censured for small billing disputes over and over.
So foolish of the professional.

[Effete Snob]

8. This one should be checked out

Almost killed one of his patients in a fall over a cliff, and apparently removed a boatload of healthy teeth:

[Irish_Dem]

9. ....

[question everything]

15. Yes, I probably should talk to him

I see dentists four times a year: two regular cleaning (and or crown and fillings) and two periodontists.

Perio visit is often more expensive so I choose to pay for the regular dentist and let insurance pay for the perio.

Last month I paid, told them not to submit to insurance, have been doing this for awhile and... the next day they submitted it to the insurance and got paid. Twice, now for the same service.

I have been talking to the person who does the billings, I was promised she would get back to me and.. nothing. For three days.

And now with snow storm, again, I will wait for next week. And then I will threaten to contact Delta Dental and the state agency.

I probably will change dentist later this year. Not worth it.

Really bugs me.

[Irish_Dem]

16. Over billing insurance companies can be insurance fraud.

If it is a consistent practice and not just billing error.

Doctors can get into real trouble with this kind of thing if it is deliberate.
As I said before, the license holder is responsible for all staff in the clinic.
Ignorance is no excuse in the eyes of the state board.

I would speak to the office manager. If no results there, you could ask to speak to the dentist.

Then the state board. And your insurance company.

Sometimes billing staff can cook up some schemes to make some money.
Or it could be an honest mistake.

Medical practitioners are notoriously bad business owners and many problems arise from that.
That is why so many go bankrupt.

I had my own clinic and ran a tight ship.
No board complaints, no lawsuits, no deaths or injuries.

I knew to the penny all money going in and out.

[dflprincess]

17. I'm in the same situation you are. Two regular cleanings, 2 perios every year

but I'm fortunate & my employer based insurance covers all my cleanings (another reason I don't retire).

I can't remember where you're located, if you're near the south metro & are looking for a new dentist, I have a wonderful one. If you're interested, PM me and I'll send you his information.

[question everything]

18. Thanks for the offer. No, I am in Plymouth. For many years I would use one in Edina,

a periodontist, and once he left I moved north. Then that dentist retired and I was unhappy with the new ones so found a new one.

[geardaddy]

19. Talk to the AG's office

That's what they're there for.

[question everything]

20. Thanks. I talked to them again, this time with the top money person and they are issuing a check

for what I paid.

Not the best result, meaning I will have to pay for one Perio visit. What bothered me was that the person with whim I talked promised to call me back and never did.

"They hired new people..."