Fee Based Dental -- Two Authorizations... Different Hospitals

[Snake Eyes]

The dental services for Livermore took my information to Menlo Park for an authorization for fee based dental. A few days later, I got an authorization from Palo Alto (the parent hospital of Livermore and Menlo Park VA dental clinics). Shortly after that, I got another authorization from Menlo Park's dental services. The one from Palo Alto came with a letter to the doctor explaining how fee based works and a blank VA form 10-2570D. The one from Menlo Park had the letter to me only and a computer printout that looks like an authorization.

They authorized an exam and prophy and indicated they will approve up to a certain amount for treatment.

Last Thursday I missed a call from the Menlo Park office and they left a message that said they needed to talk to me about a fee based authorization.... No details, just a callback number. The callback number is only a voicemail and I've left several messages Thursday, Friday and Monday in hopes of finding out why she called.

QUESTION: Should I use the authorization without talking to the mystery lady first? IF so, do I take both letters and forms to the dentist, or if not, which one?

I also tried contacting both campuses from which the letters came and nobody seems to know how to address the issue. As a last resort, I can wait till I visit my VSO and see if he can shake some trees on my behalf. But that takes time off the clock -- all work has to be done before June 15 and we'll be gone half of May. Is that deadline for initially seeing the dentist or for getting all the work done? If the latter, we also have the wait time for his exam report and the VA's final authorization for treatment.

So you can see why I'd love for these folks to answer their phones. It's not like we're trying to talk to the president :-)

[id_firefighter30]

try calling both Hospitals and when you get a hold of the operator ask to speak to the fee basis office

[Snake Eyes]

That's what I did today... That connects to a voicemail. I also discovered one of the hospitals has an operator with Down Syndrome. How cool is that?! She did a great job, but unfortunately the number went to voicemail when she connected me.

[Snake Eyes]

I was finally able to speak with the person who sent one of the letters. It turns out she works for all three clinics in the Palo Alto region and got me taken care of. When getting fee based services and a choice of doctors, it's a good idea to contact each and learn as much as possible about the providers (the doctors, practice, etc.). The doc I chose is "conservative" in his approach -- meaning no sedation. However, he's a 22 year veteran as an Airforce Dentist. Not sure how the treatment part will go as there is a lot of work to be done and the VA doesn't like to spend a lot on outside care.

[iceturkee]

I was finally able to speak with the person who sent one of the letters. It turns out she works for all three clinics in the Palo Alto region and got me taken care of. When getting fee based services and a choice of doctors, it's a good idea to contact each and learn as much as possible about the providers (the doctors, practice, etc.). The doc I chose is "conservative" in his approach -- meaning no sedation. However, he's a 22 year veteran as an Airforce Dentist. Not sure how the treatment part will go as there is a lot of work to be done and the VA doesn't like to spend a lot on outside care.

funny, i got fee based to a local oral surgeon to have all of my teeth pulled in an operating room.