We spoke to the founder of a Fee-For-Service dentist, DeFabio Dental Design is a Colt Neck Dentist. Dr. DeFabio explained the reason he chose an FFS model for his NJ dental practice.
“I pride myself on putting my patients first, this is why I chose to remove the limitations insurance companies put on dentists. Our tagline is “We Treat People, Not Just Teeth.” and our practice embodies that. We have patients come to us from all over New Jersey due to the high level of care we offer.”
No one enjoys going to the dentist. A large reason is that we know we are receiving treatment that is rushed. And this just increases anxiety.
Often we are just shuffled in a hurried out of the office with no time for questions or to explain treatment options. It is important for patients to feel calm and to understand the treatment and any treatment options. No one likes feeling rushed.
And in times like these, in the midst of a pandemic, this becomes more than stressful, it becomes dangerous. The way insurance companies structure it dentists need to see patients quickly and there is no time between appointments.
This gives no real downtime between appointments to sterilize and enact measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Fee-For-Service structure allows dentists to only have one patient in the office at a time and the break between patients to sanitize and ensure patients’ safety.
Why Your Dentist Rushes Treatment
The way dental insurance works and how they price procedures leads to dentists rushing treatment. Many don’t know that there is a cap to how much a dentist can make per procedure.
Each treatment has a flat rate that the dentist will get paid.
This means dentists are forced to do as many treatments as possible each day and leads them to rush treatments even if they don’t want to. This is especially true for cosmetic dentistry in NJ. A root canal can take a half-hour or 2 hours, but the dentist gets paid the same regardless of how long it takes.
This is why Fee-For-Service is superior for the patient that wants to best treatment and the best care.
Do I Have To Pay It All Out Of Pocket?
Not at all. This is a misunderstanding many people have about FFS care. When thinking about an FFS provider remember that this does not mean the cost of your treatment will be out of pocket. Many will submit your claim to your insurance for you.
The out of pocket costs are generally quite small. Especially when you compare the level of care you get. The difference between what the insurance covers and what the procedure costs is all you are responsible for.
You should think about FFS if you are a very anxious patient, as the dentist will be free to spend more time with you to make you relaxed and comfortable. Or if you simply want the best treatment for your family.