Why Some Dentists Hesitate to Raise Their Fees

Like most other services, the cost of dental procedures rise periodically. However, quite a number of dentists are reluctant to raise their service fees perhaps for fear of losing their loyal clients. Although most dental offices review their pricing strategy on an annual basis, not too many of them increase their rates as often as they conduct reviews.

Some dentists do not see the point of raising their fees because it is the dental insurance companies that dictate the reimbursement rates. Still a lot of others wait for the economy to stabilize before deciding on the final figures for rate hikes that are long overdue. Not a few dental offices also choose to minimize the discounts they offer clients rather than charge higher rates.

Regardless of the actual pricing strategy each dental practice decides to adopt, it is crucial to ensure optimum PPO reimbursement rates and thereby remain profitable. Dentists who cater to individuals, families, and corporate clients covered by insurance should thus find ways to seek the highest compensation possible. Among other things, this may require the services of capable third-party providers who can negotiate with insurance companies and obtain maximum reimbursement rates on behalf of the dental office.

Dentists Need Money Too: Why Dental Fees Increase

If there is one thing about dentistry, or the medical field in general, that makes it financially appealing is the mere fact that people will always need to take care of their teeth. However, the amount a dentist earns depends on the number of patients he or she deals with on a regular basis. Dental plans ensure that dentists always have a set number of people to service every year, but patients nowadays are clamoring for smaller fees and dental insurance companies are starting to reimburse less.

To stay on the game, dentists have no choice but to change their fee schedules. Aside from dealing with the turbulence of dental insurance, dentists are sometimes forced to learn new procedures and/or employ better dental equipment in order to provide their patients with more services. There is also the more mundane aspect of having to deal with “drive-by patients” (those who come only when they need something and never come back) which further strains the dentist's resources.

However, shoddy financial management can also be blamed for when dental fees increase. A dentist may be using outdated fee schedules since he or she didn't regularly consult with the dental insurance company he or she is working with. This often results in poorly-informed decisions like increasing all fees wholesale (something that often alienates patients) instead of fees for specific services only.