I let my dentist know what happened and was rescheduled with another endodontist to care for me, who was ACTUALLY in my network. I had to pay entirely out of pocket for the exam because Dr. Kim-Park had wasted the one extra exam I had per year my insurance allowed. The full charge was still less than the extra Dr. Kim-Park had attempted to charge. By the time I saw the new endo, my pain was lessened. The exam the new endo did was MUCH more thorough. After telling the new endo everything I had told Dr. Kim-Park, the new endo told me that I was not presenting with need for a root canal, that likely something had become trapped in the gum next to my crown and cause irritation... these symptoms matched what I was describing. And there was nothing on the x-ray to suggest any problems. A root canal would be an unnecessary procedure at this point, and I should call them if anything got worse or if it didn't get better, and that caution was best for now... but they didn't suspect it would get worse.
I scheduled my root canal for two weeks and a couple days out.
I called them, and they finally admitted this, even though they tried to weasel out of it. They said they had no idea until they attempted to charge because they hadn't spoken to the insurance company prior to this (even though when they called back the first time they had told me they HAD spoken to them). They then told me they always charge extra to see what they can get the insurance company to pay, and that my additional charges "might be dropped." I told them that if they didn't. I would come stand in the office and demand they drop the charges in light of their deception, for all their new patients to see. They did drop the charges, so I didn't have to.
I arrived and they did the exam. The exam cost more than estimated. The exam was VERY brief. Even though she said that "there wasn't much on my x-ray," that it might be just because we caught it early or something. I was told in no uncertain terms that with what I was describing I definitely needed a root canal and that my tooth could abscess or become infected at any moment and that I needed to have the root canal done as soon as possible. I was then quoted another price, which was over twice what the first price I was quoted was. This was because "oh, your insurance isn't quite as good with coverage as we thought."
Upon calling and giving them ALL of my insurance information, I was told that I should be covered because they were in network for that company and they would check and call back. They called back, said they'd spoken with my insurance, and that I was definitely covered by my insurance to see them and that they were "in network" for me. They quoted me a price for what it would be for the exam and if I needed a root canal. They based this on "having spoken with my insurance company."
A couple of days before my appointment, I got a letter from my insurance company. Dr. Kim-Park charged much more than the maximum allowable to my insurance, and my insurance was claiming I would need to pay the rest of it to her. She was also not in network for me!
I was referred to this office by my regular dentist to investigate tooth pain.
This was the easiest dental procedure I've ever had. I hate needles and I barely new she was numbing me, and it was over in about 45 mins.
It's been more than 6 months since, and all pain is gone. No swelling, infection, abscess... nothing. The new endo was totally right. Make what you will of this, but I would be very cautious. I recommend that you call your insurance FIRST on your own and ask if Dr. Kim-Park is in network before seeing her.
The best! To say I'm uncomfortable in the dentist's chair is an understatement. Dr. Park and her staff made me relax and comfortable. I highly recommend.
(TL:DR -- This endodontist mislead me and told me I was in network when I wasn't, claimed to have spoken directly to my insurance when they apparently had not, did an exam before I found out they weren't in my network, attempted to overcharge, and recommended a procedure that turned out to be unnecessary after a second opinion and passage of time which proved the second opinion correct. Use caution if you seek care here.)
Heritage Park Endodontics Dr Melanie Kim Park D D S is a US Dentist based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Heritage Park Endodontics Dr Melanie Kim Park D D S is located at 538 Brandies Cir #105, Murfreesboro, TN 37128, USA.
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