Our Commitment to Transparent Billing

At Smile Craft Dental, we believe that financial clarity is part of good patient care. We are committed to being upfront about the cost of your treatment, the payment options available to you, and what you can expect from us when it comes to billing. We ask that all patients review this policy prior to receiving services. If you have questions at any point, our team is always happy to walk you through them.

Insurance

We are pleased to work with many insurance providers and will file claims on your behalf as a courtesy. Please understand, however, that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurer. Smile Craft Dental is not a party to that agreement and cannot guarantee what your plan will cover, how much it will reimburse, or how quickly it will process a claim.

All cost estimates we provide are based on information supplied to us by your insurer at the time of your visit. These are estimates only and are not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Verification of benefits is not a guarantee of reimbursement by your insurance provider. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance provider before your appointment to confirm your benefits, understand any deductibles or limitations, and ask about any pre-authorization requirements that may apply to your treatment.

You are responsible for all co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance amounts at the time of service, any balance remaining after your insurance has paid, and any services that are denied, excluded, or deemed non-covered by your plan.

If your insurance has not paid within 60 days of your date of service, the outstanding balance will become your responsibility and payment will be due upon receipt of your statement.

Patients Without Insurance

If you do not carry insurance, payment is due in full at the time of service. We encourage uninsured patients to speak with our billing team before their appointment to discuss the anticipated cost of care and any payment options that may be available. We are committed to working with you to make treatment as accessible as possible.

Accepted Forms of Payment

We accept cash, personal checks, and all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. We also accept Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards.

For patients who need assistance managing the cost of care, we partner with third-party financing providers to offer flexible payment options. Please ask a member of our team for details. Approval and terms are determined by the financing provider and are subject to their policies.

Payment at Time of Service

Payment for all services, including applicable co-pays, deductibles, and any charges not covered by insurance, is due at the time of your appointment unless prior arrangements have been made with our billing team. We will do our best to give you an accurate cost estimate before your treatment begins. Final charges may vary depending on the services ultimately provided.

For more extensive or multi-phase treatment plans, we may require a deposit before scheduling. Our team will discuss this with you during your treatment consultation so there are no surprises. We reserve the right to require full or partial prepayment for certain services or for patients with outstanding balances.

Payment Plans

We understand that the cost of care can be significant, and we want to help. For patients who need flexibility, we offer payment arrangements on a case-by-case basis. To discuss this option, please contact our billing team at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. Payment arrangements require a signed agreement and may be subject to a deposit or other conditions. We also work with third-party financing partners for patients who prefer a more structured financing option.

Outstanding Balances

Statements for outstanding balances are sent monthly. Payment is due within 30 days of the statement date. We ask that patients address balances promptly so we can keep your account in good standing and continue providing uninterrupted care.

Accounts with balances outstanding beyond 60 days may be subject to late fees, a temporary pause on non-emergency services until the balance is resolved, or referral to a third-party collections agency, where permitted by applicable law. If an account is referred to collections, the patient will be responsible for all associated costs including reasonable attorney fees where permitted by applicable law.

If you are facing financial hardship, we genuinely want to know before things escalate. Please contact our billing team at 650-880-1550 or be*@**********ft.com as early as possible so we can work toward a solution together.

Returned Checks

A fee of $35 will be charged for any returned check. Following a returned check, Smile Craft Dental reserves the right to require all future payments be made by cash, credit card, or money order.

Cancellations and Missed Appointments

We reserve appointment time specifically for you, and last-minute cancellations or missed appointments affect our ability to serve other patients in need of care. We ask for at least 48 hours advance notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice, or missed without any notice, may be subject to a cancellation fee. This fee is not billable to insurance and is the sole responsibility of the patient. Patients who repeatedly miss appointments or cancel without adequate notice may be asked to prepay for future visits.

We understand that unexpected things happen. If you have a true emergency, please contact us as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Refunds

If an overpayment occurs as a result of an insurance reimbursement or billing adjustment, the credit will be applied to your account or refunded upon your written request. Refund requests should be directed to our billing team at be*@**********ft.com. Please allow up to 30 days for processing. Refunds will be issued in the original form of payment where possible, subject to applicable banking and processing timelines.

Deposits paid toward a treatment plan are non-refundable once treatment has begun, except where otherwise required by applicable law.

Minor Patients

The parent or legal guardian accompanying a minor patient is responsible for payment at the time of service. In situations involving separated or divorced parents, we look to the accompanying adult for payment regardless of any custody or financial agreement between the parties. We are not able to bill a non-present party or become involved in third-party financial arrangements.

Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this payment policy at any time. The current version will always be available in our office and on our website at https://www.mysmilecraft.com/. Your continued receipt of services at Smile Craft Dental constitutes acceptance of the policy in effect at the time of your visit.

Questions About Your Bill

We know that billing questions can be frustrating, and we want to make the process as smooth as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our billing team directly. By contacting us, you consent to receive communications from us regarding your account, including phone calls, emails, or text messages, consistent with applicable law, including any required consent.