Blackmon Family Dentistry

Jason Lassiter _{on Google}

Oct 22nd, 2013

Dr. Blackmon fitted me with a post root-canal crown. He was professional, friendly and I couldn't be happier with the work itself. I am not at all happy, however, with how I was billed.
My experience began with significant pain caused by an abscessed tooth. Being new to Troy I didn't have a local dentist and set out to find one within my (insurance) network. The only local dentist within my network couldn't see me for two weeks, which given the pain I was in was too long. My fiance had had a wisdom tooth pulled by Dr. Blackmon and it was as positive an experience for her as could be expected. I called Dr. Blackmon's office to see if they could do anything for me and I got an appointment a day or two later for an evaluation.
During my evaluation, Dr. Blackmon correctly diagnosed my tooth as abscessed and prescribed antibiotics and a rinse. I was referred to an endodontist for a root canal, and advised to return to Dr. Blackmon to be fitted for a crown once I'd healed from the root canal procedure. During this initial visit I expressed significant concern about the cost of the crown, especially given the fact that Dr. Blackmon was not in my (insurance) network. Dr. Blackmon's staff reassured me that although he was not a provider for my insurance company, my insurance would nonetheless reimburse me for 50% of the cost of the crown. The staff calculated the costs involved to be $1085 total for the crown, with $542 to be paid by insurance leaving me to pay $543 out of pocket. Based on this reassurance I had the procedure done and budgeted accordingly. Unfortunately, when my insurance reimbursement came it was not for the promised $543, but for $362.50. When I brought this to the attention of Dr. Blackmon's staff, they made an off-the-cuff remark about the "healthcare environment", an insisted that despite the insurance underpayment, I owed a balance of $722.50. I paid the balance and left feeling very mislead and very disappointed -- after all, I need quite a bit of work still and I feel comfortable with Dr. Blackmon's expertise.
Do yourself a favor: if Dr. Blackmon is a provider for your insurance, see him for your dental needs.
But if he is not, go somewhere else. I'm going to.