Dr. Michael Scalia, DDS

Dr. Scalia took over a practice where I had been s patient for years. He is gentle, carrying and - most important - highly skilled. He has done several procedures including a difficult extraction and all were easy and without problems. When I had a jaw problem he took time to research the literature. When I had a dental emergency out of state, worked with a local dentist sharing xrays by email to coordinate treatment. My highest recommendation.

I have been to this office several times, usually to see Dr. Mercusio, but on this one occasion, only Dr. Scalia was available to fill a cavity.I had recently changed jobs, but had the same insurance company. Out of an abundance of caution, I showed my new card to the woman behind the desk to ensure that my coverage hadn't changed and they still accepted my insurance. I stood there and watched her check out my card and make a photocopy of it for my file. She said everything was the same and I was covered.Months later, I received a bill for over $300 -- the FULL cost of the procedure. I called and was told that because I was now on a DMO plan, I was responsible for the entire amount.I was floored. I had checked with them before they did the work and was told everything was in order. I explained this and was repeatedly told that I was responsible for knowing my insurance. I told them that I was being responsible by making sure I was covered before I went to them and there was something… wrong with their staff if they didn't know what insurance they took.I was also told that the copy of my card I watched them make was no longer in my file (surprise, surprise). I told them that seemed rather convienient, but they assured me that it was not done on purpose. Sure.Eventually, I was told that I would get a call back the following Monday (It was Thursday) with an answer as to whether Dr. Scalia would be willing to take the loss.The call never came.A month later, I received another bill in the mail for the full amount. I called back and was given the same song and dance about how it's my responsibility to know what insurance THEIR office accepts. What?After having the same conversation again and again, the woman (Fran) said that she would reach out to the Dr. again to see if he would be willing to split the cost with me. Since I don't want my credit to go downhill because these fools don't know what insurance they accept, I said that would be agreeable, since it means they take at least half of the responsibility for this mistake.I was told I'd get a call or an email within the next day or two... I STILL have not heard back.It's a very good office... as long as you don't expect them to know what insurance plans they accept, because they are apparently not competent enough to know, and they won't take a single bit of reponsibility when they make a mistake.