Policy-T & C’s-Legal Disclaimer
Dental Treatment Plan & Cost Estimate
Dr Cliff will provide you with an appropriate, individual, patient-specific dental treatment plan and cost estimate, which is valid for sixty days.
Should you receive cover from your medical aid for dental treatment, you will need to submit your treatment plan and cost estimate to your medical aid for approval, acceptance and authorisation. Once you provide confirmation of payment to the practice for the required treatment and you have settled the required deposit, front staff will arrange and schedule suitable appointments.
Failure to submit your dental treatment plan and cost estimate to your medical aid or insurance could result in financial costs for which you will be liable. It is necessary and highly recommended to request written authorisation and written payment commitment from your medical aid; the pre-authorisation may take up to four to six weeks. We are not able to schedule any appointments before you receive authorisation and confirmation of payment.
Dr Cliff designs your treatment plan based on your specific dental needs, not what your medical aid will pay. Fees are based on the Health Professions Council’s Ethical Fee list.
“A necessary conversation”: Practice Financial Policy
Most of us appreciate having payment options and we all need to understand our choices. By communicating the practice payment options, we enable patients to assess how their dental care could fit into their own, unique financial situation. We trust that our financial policy includes payment options that reflect the needs of our patients. Payment for services means that we expect payment before or at the time that we render the service.Your dental treatment plan could also extend over a period and payment would then be settled per treatment phase.
Honour System
In our practice, we operate the “Honour System” and rely on patients to settle their account without undue requests or reminders from Front Staff. In certain instances (dictated by the dental treatment plan and cost estimate), patients will be required to settle their account before treatment commences.
Payment options include payment via cash, selected credit cards (we are unable to process American Express) as well as a monthly payment option via First Health Finance. (Information about First Health Finance is available from Front Staff or by accessing information on their website: www.fhf.co.za).
As the economic pendulum continues to slowly swing back to a more healthy economy, it is important to remain abreast of changing financial needs. We provide further support to our patients by implementing the following:
- We adjust our fees once only, at the beginning of each year and we absorb any increases in the cost of materials, equipment and other dental treatment products during the year.
- We keep practice running costs low, while continuing to provide excellent, professional patient service using cost-effective, appropriate treatment options.
- Financing extensive or expensive dental treatment through First Health Finance provides patients an opportunity to receive dental treatment in instances where their medical aid does not cover the procedure or where immediate personal finance is unavailable. The offering is a specialised medical loan and is not in any way connected to a medical aid. If approved, First Health Finance will pay Dr Cliff on your behalf. You will then repay the loan to First Health Finance over a fixed term.
- Please note that we charge for broken appointments; notify Front Staff of any change to your scheduled appointment at least 24 hours before commencement of your appointment to avoid incurring unnecessary, additional costs.
- All costs include VAT and cost estimates are valid for 60 (Sixty) Days.
- Dr Cliff’s practice fee structure conforms to the Health Professions Council (HPCSA) Ethical Fee List of 2006 and recommendations of the South African Dental Council (SADA); not what any medical aid or insurance will pay.
- The practice is a cash-only business and patients are solely responsible for settlement of their account. All amounts are payable immediately on or before the day of service, dependant on the treatment plan and cost estimate terms.
Legal Disclaimer
The information presented on this website is Dr Cliff’s own point of view and not those of any dental association or organisation.
The website provides information as a service only and does not intend to suggest in any way that as a health care professional Dr Cliff has any particular abilities as compared with other practitioners.
The material placed here does not intend to attract patients to Dr Cliff’s practice or to promote any professional advantage or financial benefit.
The site does not replace a proper professional dental consultation or dentist-patient relationship.
Patient pictures are of Dr Cliff’s own patients, placed with patient consent.
The internet is an open source of information and freely accessible; therefore, to safeguard confidentiality, the site does not provide any option to correspond electronically with the practice in any way whatsoever. Contact information and details are listed and patients may contact the practice via the email address, telephone or fax numbers.
By accessing this site, you agree to the above conditions and legal notes.
Thank You.