Champion Dentistry

Review: Dear Sir/Madam:

Please be advised of my concerns as to Dental work I endeavored to have done by Champion Dentistry on August 5, 2014 (a copy of my file/correspondence is attached).

In good faith, I booked a dentist appointment on August 5, 2014 with Champion Dentistry (PPO). The dentist appointment, itself, went well. However, my disappointment started when I sat down and reviewed the paperwork from Champion Dentistry that when I realized that Champion Dentistry had ordered a Help Credit Card in my name, which is handled by [redacted]! Furthermore, there were a lot of distractions that I have never witnessed in a dentist office or any professional office. Manager, Romon, was playing with the Dr. Champion’s young son continuously and keep involving me by asking me to observe what he was doing and who is right or winning! This continued for the whole time I was there, which was for over four hours! Unfortunately, I also received a statement from [redacted] for payment due of $248.00 on September 1, 2014! THE DENTAL WORK HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR COMPLETED! Admittedly, I signed documents authorizing the credit card and a payment of $7,000 (which is so unlike me) so I believe this is why so much distraction was going on to withdraw my mind from realizing what was actually happening as to the credit card account in my name. Champion Dentistry said they had a payment plan and never discussed with me their payment was in the form of a credit card! I was so exhausted from being in his office for so long and observing all the distractions. It was the longest appointment I ever experienced and I have been going to the dentist since childhood.

On my arrival to Champion Dentistry, I was asked to complete the top portion only of the form authorizing the credit card and do not be concerned about the bottom portion. In addition, I was given about 10 more pages of initial paperwork to complete. The top portion of this form contains my name, address and Social Security Number. After I arrived home, I discovered the bottom portion was the area authorizing the credit card—again, no live discussion about a credit card being processed in my

name. By the way, one of the other patients complained as to all the paperwork and that she had never experienced anything like it and said the questions on the forms were strange. Unfortunately, I fully followed the receptionist’s instructions and, that’s why I fail to realize it was a credit card and not a payment plan I was agreeing to. Once they got the approval and right before my departure the receptionist placed a form (the form authorizing the credit card that I was asked not to pay attention to) in front of me and asked for my signature and started talking about her past and how she is so much better now. Of course, I was interested and love a comeback story. Therefore, I take full responsibility for allowing myself to get caught up in the hype/distractions so to speak and following precisely all the instructions of the receptionist without addressing some of the questions that were going through my head.

Again, there was never a live discussion as to a credit card method of payment plan—just they offer a payment plan! Champion Dentistry’s receptionist repeatedly evaded my letting her know I have insurance and my insurance member’s number, which I thought was strange. Most medical facilities want to know, up front, if you have insurance—they did not ask me I had to volunteer the information and, literally, forced them to take my insurance information-- then she looked at my insurance information as if she was confused and said “I do not know what to do with this and I will give it to my manager”, Romon.

Finally, if Champion Dentistry had mentioned to me their idea of a payment plan was a credit card—I would have discontinued my appointment immediately decline that offer. Besides, I have a dentist I have been seeing for almost 10 years and enjoy his services and professionalism. It was a painful decision to change my dentist! I only chose Champion Dentistry from the network to reduce my out-of-pocket costs. My current dentist has never misled me or endeavored to seek full payment of dental work before completion! Moreover, his staff has always communicated with me fairly and discussed all options of payments!

I DO NOT WANT OR NEED ANOTHER CREDIT CARD AND ESPECIALLY FOR DENTAL WORK IF I AM PAYING A MONTHLY INSURANCE PREMIUM ($34.68) FOR DENTAL INSURANCE, ETC. IN GOOD FAITH, I WAS JUST TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF MY DENTAL NEEDS IN A FAIR AND EQUITABLE MANNER.

Admittedly, the all cliche of “the wool being pulled over my eyes” rang true for me the very first time and trust me it will be the last time and only time! This issue has taught me a lesson for a lifetime and a lesson that I will certainly share with my family and friends moving forward! To say the least, it turned out to be the dentist appointment straight from [redacted]! IT IS A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE WHAT CHAMPION DENTISTRY IS PUTTING ME THROUGH! AS OF TODAY, HIS OFFICE STILL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ME DIRECTLY AS TO THIS ISSUE!

FINALLY, I REQUESTED CHAMPION DENTISTRY TO RETURN THE ENTIRE $7,000.00 CHARGED TO THE HELP CREDIT CARD—HE ONLY RETURNED $5,800.00 AND STRANGELY HELD $1,200.00 FOR A SERVICE (FABRICATED TEETH) THAT WAS NOT APART OF THE ORIGINAL CHARGES AND RECEIPT (COPY ATTACHED). AS A RESULT, HELP CREDIT CARD IS SEEKING A PAYMENT FROM ME THAT I TRULY DID NOT AUTHORIZED AND SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR!! CLEARLY, CHAMPION DENTISTRY SHOULD HAVE RETURNED THE ENTIRE $7,000.00 COST FOR ITEMS ONLY ON THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT AND WHICH I SIGNED! OBVIOUSLY, CHAMPION DENTISTRY HAS HIS OWN INTEREST IN MIND AND NOT MY DENTAL CARE AND IS TRYING TO MAKE ME RESPONSIBLE FOR A CHARGE I DID NOT AGREE TO OR AUTHORIZED! THIS IS SO SURPRISING TO ME AND SO UNETHICAL! FURTHERMORE, CHAMPION DENTISTRY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACTUALLY PRESENT A RECEIPT OF PAYMENT FOR THE FABRICATED TEETH FOR THAT AMOUNT—JUST A LEDGER, WHICH IS NOT A RECEIPT! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I REALIZE TIMES ARE HARD FOR US ALL—I AM CURRENTLY LAID OFF AND 61 YEARS OLD AND MY HUSBAND IS RETIRED AND 72—SOON TO BE 73—HOWEVER, WE ENDEAVOR TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AND NOT PUSH THEM ON OTHERS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A CERTAIN LIFESTYLE!!!

AT ONE POINT, TO MOVE THINGS FORWARD AND PUT THIS MATTER BEHIND US – I ASKED CHAMPION DENTISTRY TO BILL ME DIRECTLY BECAUSE I HAVE CLOSED THE HELP CREDIT CARD AND THEY WILL NOT CLOSE THIS CARD UNTIL THE BALANCE IS PAID! I RECEIVED NO COOPERATION FROM CHAMPION DENTISTRY OR A RESPONSE. I DO NOT HAVE THE FABRICATED TEETH—THEY ARE STILL IN CHAMPION DENTISTRY’S POSSESSION!! HOWEVER, I DO NOT DESIRE THEM AT THIS POINT AND JUST WANT TO COMPLETELY MOVE FORWARD AND NOT POSSESS ANY PRODUCTS FROM HIS OFFICE!! JUST WANT THIS UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE TO GO AWAY! THEREFORE, I AM REACHING OUT TO YOUR ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER!

I anticipate your response to this matter, suggestions and/or most importantly a RESOLUTION!!

If you desire additional information, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Kindest regards,Desired Settlement: I NEED CHAMPION DENTISTRY TO RETURN THE REMAINING $1,200.00 OF THE $7,000.00 CHARGED TO THE [redacted] CREDIT CARD AND PROCESSED BY [redacted] IMMEDIATELY SO THEY CAN STOP CALLING ME AND BILLING ME FOR THIS MATTER AND ADDING LATE CHARGES AND AN ANNUAL FEE OF $59.00 FOR A CREDIT CARD I CANCELLED SHORTLY AFTER I DISCOVERED WHAT CHAMPION DENTISTRY'S PAYMENT PLAN WAS, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A CREDIT CARD, WHICH THEY OPENED IN MY NAME QUIETLY WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT FIRST WITH ME ON AUGUST 5, 2014. IF THEY HAD, I WOULD HAVE DECLINED AND WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS SAGA! MOREOVER, I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED FOR AN UNAUTHORIZED CHARGE AND THIS CHARGE WAS NOT ON THE RECEIPT ISSUED TO ME ON AUGUST 5, 2014 AND SUBMITTED TO HC PROCESSING. FURTHERMORE, THE FABRICATED TEETH ARE STILL IN CHAMPION DENTISTRY'S POSSESSION!,