Laurel, Md.-based Dr. Batz & Weiner Family Dentistry settled allegations Jan. 22 that it overbilled patients and did not provide accurate information about treatment costs with the Maryland Attorney General's Office, according to The Baltimore Sun.
The Maryland Consumer Protection Division claimed that the dental practice did not submit timely and accurate insurance claims, billed patients amounts that should have been covered by insurance, failed to account for any payments received and instead rebilled patients. Additionally, the division alleged the practice didn't include all anticipated charges in estimated bills and didn't inform patients that they would be treated by out of network providers.
As part of the settlement, Dr. Batz & Weiner Family Dentistry will waive outstanding charges for services provided between Jan. 1, 2014, and March 3, 2016. The practice will also notify all patients who may have been overcharged, informing them that they can review their accounts.
Dr. Batz & Weiner Family Dentistry will also pay $48,000 in penalties and investigative costs, reports The Baltimore Sun. The dental practice also agreed to make improvements to its billing process, including providing accurate treatment estimates, hiring a third-party biller, billing patients in a timely manner and notifying patients if a provider is out of network.
"Today's settlement will help prevent overbilling of patients and allow patients to make informed decisions about their own dental care and treatment," said Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh in a statement, reports The Baltimore Sun.