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Orthodontic Treatment For The Whole Family

Dr. Joseph Salierno

Dr. Salierno received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg

College in 1972, majoring in biology. He graduated from

Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1977. Dr. Salierno

then completed a two-year orthodontics certification residency at

Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry in 1979.

 

Dr. Salierno began practicing orthodontics in Astoria in 1980. He

achieved board certification in orthodontics in 1991, becoming a

Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

 

Dr. Salierno is a member of the Queens County and New York

State Dental Societies, the American Dental Association, and the

American Association of Orthodontics.

Dr. Salierno is a founding member of Dentists for a Better Huntington, a charitable organization that raises funds and makes charitable donations to various organizations in the Huntington community, where he also practices.

 

 

 

 

Financial Information:

Orthodontic treatment can be for everyone. It is an excellent, affordable investment for children, adolescents and adults. Our office is dedicated to making orthodontics available to all those interested and in need of treatment. Although fees vary according to the complexity and time involved with each case, a personalized payment plan can be arranged. We offer several payment options to fit your budget and are happy to discuss them with you. For your convenience, we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, money orders, cash and personal checks. Our office also offers the Chase Health Advance No Interest Program as an outside financing source for qualifying applicants. Information about this plan can be found at http://www.chasehealthadvance.com .

 

We will work with you and your insurance company to receive the maximum benefit possible under your policy. We accept assignment of insurance checks from most insurance companies, and will help file all of your insurance claims. Please understand, however, that our primary financial relationship is with our patients and their families, not the insurance company. Understanding orthodontic insurance can be difficult. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about your policy to simplify the processing of your claims.

To help you understand, we have included answers to these frequently asked questions:

 

How does orthodontic insurance work?

 

Orthodontic insurance differs from regular dental insurance in that it rarely pays for treatment in full. Every individual has a maximum lifetime orthodontic benefit. This benefit is paid out over the course of the treatment. For example, if treatment lasts for 12 months, the payments from the insurance company will be paid out over 12 months until the maximum has been reached. There are many different agreements between insurance carriers and their subscribers, and each contract provides a different benefit.

 

If you have orthodontic coverage, please bring the needed paperwork so that we may assist you in getting your orthodontic benefits. The paperwork should include your insurance card and a dental claim form, if you can obtain one for your first visit.

 

Please contact your insurance company and ask the following questions:

1. Do I have orthodontic coverage?
2. What are my benefits?
3. Is a pre-treatment estimate required?
4. Does the insurance company pay automatically?

Please remember that orthodontic insurance is a benefit for you or your child. If during the course of treatment your benefits change, the financially responsible party is accountable for all charges.

How can you maximize your benefits?

Know your benefits before treatment begins! If you are not sure, contact your insurance company so that you know your total benefit amount, how much you can expect to pay, and when to expect payment.

A Few Words About Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical Savings Accounts or Health Savings Accounts)

Flex plans are designed to allow families to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses. Flexible spending accounts can be very beneficial and should be used whenever possible. They are, however, strictly regulated. The facts are:

 

• These programs are regulated by the government and there are general guidelines that must be followed.
• Payments made on account must be for services being rendered and should not be a pre-payment for future charges.
• Funds are to be used for "out-of-pocket" expenses. If you have insurance coverage for treatment you must allow for what portion of the fee your insurance will cover.
• Documentation to receive reimbursement from your benefits administrator may be in the form of a receipt of payment or may require a statement of charges. Please check with your administrator.
  
  

Do you need to set aside funds for orthodontic treatment?

Appointments scheduled for pre-treatment observation are excellent opportunities to plan ahead for the coming year. If you are eligible for a Flexible Spending account, please make sure that you make any appointments well in advance of the enrollment deadline. We will do our best to estimate anticipated expenses for the coming year.