Robert A Foster, Jr
DMD/PC
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
770-971-5119
1230 Johnson Ferry Place
Suite C-10
Marietta, GA 30068
What is a Preferred Provider?
Preferred Provider is a name coined by insurance companies. "Preferred" does not mean they can give you the best care. They are "Preferred" by the insurance company because they cost the company less than those doctors on the outside. The doctors inside their network have allowed the insurance company to decide the fees for treatment and in some cases, the procedures appropriate for treatment itself. Often it is difficult to find a Preferred Provider in your neighborhood.
Why doesn't Dr. Foster participate in a dental benefits network?
We have investigated options in becoming “providers” for several insurance companies. In each case, the insurance company asked us to discount our fees as much as 60%. They have enticed us with the promise of more patients. We have always made every effort to make our fees affordable and comparable to other dentists in our area while still providing the top quality care and service to which our patients are accustomed. In order to maintain that quality we would have to find ways to cut corners. Some that may be suggested by an insurance company could include using non-precious metals as opposed to gold under our porcelain restorations, placing silver fillings in posterior teeth instead of tooth colored ones, and eliminating front desk assistants so that the phone would be answered by a machine. We want to provide personal attention to each of our patients using state of the art materials. So until an insurance company can meet our requirements for quality without limitations and until they allow fair benefits for standard of care treatment like tooth colored fillings, and gold instead of non precious metals, we will continue to search. So far, it appears as if the insurance carrier is taking the premiums and paying minimal benefits for, at best, outdated dentistry.
BEWARE: Before you decide to go to a “network provider” please look at the following article: http://dentalinsurancesecrets.com
Our patients have reported that some of these tactics are strategies for some PPO network dentists as well.