INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis dentist office is now charging its patients an additional fee unrelated to dental treatments, but rather because of COVID-19.
"Downtown Dental Group" sent a letter to its patients on Thursday, letting them know that $10 would be charged per visit to help cover the costs of implementing new protocols for combating COVID-19.
In the letter, the dental group states that "proper infection control" requires several items. The items required include gowns, filtering masks, face shields, safety glasses for patients, a pre-procedural mouth rinse, larger chair covers, bibs, extra oral suction devices, and HIPPA-verified air purifiers.
The letter, signed by Dr. Lora Crow, DDS, a dentistry practitioner, states these COVID-19 cleaning procedures are going uncovered by insurance companies at this time, and until they are covered, the $10 surcharge will be implemented per patient.
"At this time, most insurance companies have not allowed for the coverage of an infection control fee, even though the American Dental Association has recommended it. In time, I will expect more insurance companies to step up to cover that cost. In the meantime, there will be a $10 charge per visit. I am anticipating the components of this new protocol to become the new standard going forward."
