Each dentist you talk to will have a
different fee schedule for the treatment you need. This is
because dental fees are not regulated by a Government body so each
dentist is free to set their fees as they choose. At Gerber
Dental Group we aim to keep our fees within industry standards and
our fees reflect the skills and experience of our dentists and
hygienists as well as the technology we have available for your
diagnosis and treatment. Even the things you don't see such
as sterilization, infection control and materials are all quite
costly, so be careful that a "cheap" dentist isn't cutting corners
with things that can put your health at risk.
When you compare the fees at different dental practices, make
sure you are comparing exactly the same thing because the types of
treatment vary, as do the materials, labs and equipment. Be
careful about getting "over the phone" quotes because they may
change once another dentist assesses your situation. What may
appear cheaper in the short term can actually end up costing you
more money down the track.
Following your initial examination, we will always provide you
with a treatment plan and fee estimate before we start any
treatment. This means there are no hidden costs or nasty
surprises for you to deal with. You can choose the treatment
option that best suits your needs and your budget.
Health Funds
We are currently preferred dental providers for the following
health funds:-
As a participating dental practice, we will only charge you the
fees set by each health fund for some specific treatments and while
you may still have a small out of pocket or 'gap' fee, this will be
much lower than normal. The gap fee will be determined by your
level of cover and as a general rule, the higher your level of
cover, the lower the gap fee. Each health fund has different
treatment codes included in their program and if you require any
other dental treatment outside this program, we will provide you
with a treatment plan and you can check your rebates with your
health fund before you start your treatment. Please keep in mind
that your rebates will be determined by your level of cover and
your yearly maximum benefit limits.
If you have any questions about the health fund oral health
programs or you need to schedule an appointment please call the
practice on 07 5576 4923. Due to privacy laws, we are unable to
access specific information about your membership or your claims.
If you have specific concerns, you will need to deal directly with
Medibank
Private, Manchester Unity or HCF directly.
GEM Visa
GEMVisa is a product from GE finance and
offers interest free payment plans for dental treatment. The
application process can be done on-line and can provide funds up to
$20,000 for emergency, orthodontic, implant, general and cosmetic
dental treatments. Patients who have an GEM Visa are able to use
the card anywhere that takes Visa. When making
purchases over $250 you will always get the benefit of 6 months
interest free! Existing GE Money card holders or Care Credit card
holders don't need to re-apply for a new GEM Visa card,
you can choose to continue using your GE card with the conditions
that apply to GE finance. GEM Visa allows patients to have
treatment done sooner, even if they don't have the funds available
immediately. Apply online
today.
Veteran Affairs
If you hold a Veteran Affairs Gold card, you are entitled to
receive dental treatment free of charge. There are some
restrictions in this program, however we are happy to accept DVA
Gold card holders at our practice. For information on whether you
are eligible contact The Department Of Veterans
Affairs.
Medicare EPC Dental Program
Patients with a chronic medical condition may be eligible for
dental treatment under the EPC scheme if they have a referral and
care plan from their GP. It is up to the GP to determine whether a
patient is eligible for this program and patients must ensure that
all the relevant paperwork has been completed before their first
dental visit. Fees are billed directly to Medicare and in many
cases there are no 'out of pocket' fees for general dental care.
Fee limits and specific rules apply to this program and the aim of
the dental treatment is to improve general oral health for high
risk patients. Cosmetic dental treatment is not available as part
of the EPC program. For further information about the EPC program,
talk to your GP or call the practice on 07 5576 4923 to schedule
your new patient appointment.
Noble Dentist Program
Noble Dentist is a dental plan that
you join, then visit a participating dental sugery to recieve your
treatment at reduced fees. Some treatment item codes have a
set fee, while others are a percentage reduction of the
standard pracitce fees. Gerber Dental Group is a
participating practice and you can click here to
visit the Noble Dentist web site for more information.
Over the phone quotes
In some cases we can give you fee estimates over the phone, but
they will only be a rough guide and may change once your specific
situation has been assessed. You will be provided with an exact fee
quote for your initial visit and following this, we will give you
treatment plan options with more accurate fees. We prefer not to
give over the phone quotes to compare with other practices because
it can be misleading and the treatment options may not be the same
from practice to practice. We are more than happy to schedule a new
patient visit to provide you with an assessment or second opinion
if you are unsure about treatment options already recommended.
Payment Options
For your convenience, we accept cash, mastercard, visa,
bankcard, hicaps, care credit and AMEX (surcharge applies). We are
also pleased to offer a discount for treatment paid in full prior
to your appointments. We accept personal cheques for treatment but
not for new patient visits. Payment is made on the day of the
appointment as we do not send accounts.