McMillan & Associates

McMillan and Associates was my family’s dentist for two years, and we generally liked the staff… especially the reception staff. However, we are now in search of a new practice/​doctor. They are quick to add procedures to your ‘treatment plan’ and are not aware of what procedures are covered by their accepted insurance companies. Had I known there was any doubt my insurer would deny covering a procedure McMillan and Associates identified as time sensitive, I never would have agreed to the procedure. At a minimum, if you go with McMillan and Associates, I recommend getting a second opinion before allowing them to do any work beyond a simple cleaning.
Details:
After being told I needed a single crown in mid 2013, I decided to delay the procedure and get supplemental dental insurance to cover the expense in 2014. Fast forward to January 2014, and McMillan and Associates informed me I needed a second crown while prepping me for the first. Fortunately, 50% of the cost of both was covered by insurance.
However, when I returned in the summer for my biannual cleaning, I was told two additional crowns were added to my treatment plan. Though I had not anticipated spending an additional $ 1,000 on dental work this year, I agreed to go ahead with the procedure because the dentist suggested it was not advisable to delay and I did not intend to keep my dental insurance in 2015. I admit that I wanted to take care of any necessary dental work while carrying the insurance, but I said repeatedly to the hygienist and doctor that I only wanted to take care of necessary procedures while my insurance would cover a portion of the cost.
Shortly after having the work done, I received a denied claim notice from United Concordia. The notice read «According to our guidelines a build-​up and crown can only be allowed when the tooth is extensively decayed and/​or has a complete cusp fracture. Based on the information provided, it is our Dentist Advisor’s opinion that the build-​ups and crowns… cannot be approved because there is no missing cusps and adequate tooth structure remains.»
The front desk staff, who was very helpful, appealed this ruling twice, but each appeal returned a ruling that stood by the initial finding. Essentially, United Concordia, and the guidelines developed by licensed healthcare providers and consistent with ADA guidelines, determined that they would not cover the services.
As a result, not only did I have to pay the $ 1,000 copay, but I also had to pay the $ 1,050 that was originally billed to my insurer. I relied on the medical expertise of McMillan and Associates, but I feel the practice took advantage of me. As a result, I’m now paying the price — in excess of $ 3,000 in total dental expenses in 2014, including $ 2,050 for crowns that my insurer deemed unnecessary.

Update: I found a new dentist in Clarendon a few months after that review and he not only agreed that it wasn’t a cracked filling causing my pain last spring, I may have never needed the filling in the first place! After a thorough check-​up the new dentist suggested that the pain was caused by excessive jaw clenching. I wasn’t even aware I was clenching but since that appointment I’ve realized they were spot on. I now have to consciously relax my jaw more times than I can count, but wouldn’t you know it, tooth pain gone! Thank GOODNESS I found a new dentist!

I visited McMillan and associates and have mixed feelings about my experience. The detal work (cleaning, a couple fillings and a root canal) was high quality and they tried to make me as comfortable as possible (I had almost no pain with any of the work), but the front desk seems disorganized and I got conflicting information from different staff. Last time I was there the doctor recommended a bunch of work that I’m skeptical about needing (nothing was said about it when I was in just a few months before that) and the front desk staff were supposed to contact my insurance and call me with an estimate for the work (they never did). I’m going to try a new place, but I might return here if I really needed something done.

Not having been to the Dentist in a while (previous bad exp.) I was, to say the least, a bit apprehensive. However, the professional staff here at McMillan Assoc. made me feel quite at ease. The check-​up with Frances was the most comfortable I have ever experienced.
I would recommend this office to anyone in need of a competent Dental services.