Payment

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine's (TUSDM's) Clinics accept cash, personal checks (with valid photo identification), and credit/debit cards with the official Visa, MasterCard, or Discover logo as payment for services.

Co-payment, co-insurance, or full payment (for patients who are paying out of pocket) is expected at the time of the appointment. If TUSDM bills a patient's insurance and there is a balance for which the patient is responsible after the insurance company's payment on the claim, TUSDM will send the patient a statement, which shows the balance that the patient is required to pay.

Please see below for information about:

• Insurance
• Flexible Spending
• Clinic Business Office

Insurance

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine's (TUSDM's) Clinics accept MassHealth*, Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental (MA & RI) and Commonwealth Care* (Type 1, Network & Neighborhood Health Plans) and bills these insurance companies directly for services provided to patients who are covered by these plans.

If a patient does not have one of the insurance plans listed above, s/he can still receive services at TUSDM. The patient must pay in full at the time of the appointment, and then file for reimbursement from her/his insurance company. TUSDM's Clinic Business Office will provide the patient with a standard dental claim form listing the treatments that were provided and the payment received. The patient then may submit the dental claim form to her/his insurance company. The patient will then work directly with her/his insurance company to receive reimbursement as allowed under the patient's insurance coverage.

It is each patient's responsibility to know her/his dental insurance benefits. Patients should check with their employer or insurance plan (e.g., by calling the number on the back of their insurance card) with questions about coverage.

Patients who have dental insurance should bring their insurance card and photo identification to every appointment. If a patient's insurance coverage is not active on the date of the appointment, TUSDM will not disrupt or delay urgent or necessary care; however, the patient's student or resident dentist may ask the patient to reschedule the appointment. If a patient's insurance does not cover a treatment, the patient must pay for the treatment at the time of the appointment.

Many dental insurance plans, including MassHealth and Commonwealth Care, require prior authorization for some dental services.

* Important additional information about MassHealth and Commonwealth Care:

MassHealth does not cover orthodontic services for ages 21 and over, and Commonwealth Care does not cover any orthodontic services.

Effective July 1, 2010, MassHealth has reduced dental coverage for adults age 21 and older.

MassHealth coverage for adults age 21 and older now ONLY includes exams, cleanings, x-rays, extractions (removal of teeth), emergency care visits (to treat pain and reduce the risk of infection), and some types of oral surgery (such as biopsies and soft-tissue surgery).

MassHealth dental benefits for children (under 21) and for Department of Developmental Services (DDS) clients were not reduced, and most dental services are still covered. Please contact MassHealth for more information.

Flexible Spending

A flexible spending account is an account that some employers offer to allow employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for certain dental and/or medical services that may not be fully covered by insurance. Patients should check with their employer for more information.

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine's (TUSDM's) Clinics accept flexible spending account debit/credit cards if the card has an official Visa or MasterCard logo. If a patient plans to use her/his flexible spending account debit/credit card at TUSDM, the patient must notify her/his employer's health benefits administrator before her/his dental appointment; otherwise, the patient's flexible spending debit/credit card may not work at the time of her/his appointment.

Clinic Business Office

TUSDM's Clinic Business Office is available to assist you with questions about payment or insurance. The Office is located on the third floor of the Dental School, and patients are welcome to visit us before or after appointments or on a drop-in basis. The phone number for the Clinic Business Office is 617-636-6986. The fax number is 617-636-6994.

The Clinic Business Office is open 8:30am-7:00pm, Monday through Thursday, and 8:30am-4:30pm on Friday.