Insurance and Financing at Austin & Tatum Dental in Amarillo, TX

We believe quality dental care should be accessible. While we operate as a fee-for-service practice, we work hard to make the financial side of dentistry straightforward and manageable. Our team handles insurance filing on your behalf and offers flexible payment options to fit your budget.

Our Fee-for-Service Model

We’re a fee-for-service practice, which means we don’t participate in insurance networks or accept assignment as an in-network provider. This allows us to focus on what’s truly best for your oral health rather than being limited by insurance company restrictions on treatment quality, materials, or time.

Fee-for-service dentistry means:

  • We recommend treatment based on your needs, not insurance coverage limitations
  • We use quality materials and proven techniques without network restrictions
  • We take the time needed to do excellent work, not rush through procedures
  • We build treatment plans around optimal outcomes, not what insurance prefers to pay for

While we don’t participate in PPO networks, we do everything possible to help you maximize your benefits and make dental care affordable.

How We Help with Your Insurance

Even though we’re out-of-network, we make insurance as simple as possible for you.

We File Insurance Claims for You

We file all insurance claims on your behalf – you don’t need to handle paperwork or deal with claim submissions. We’ll submit your treatment information directly to your insurance company and follow up on your claims.

We Accept Assignment of Benefits

We accept assignment of benefits, which means your insurance company can pay us directly for covered services. You won’t need to pay the full amount upfront and wait for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Complimentary Insurance Verification

Before treatment, we’ll verify your dental benefits at no charge. We’ll contact your insurance company to understand your coverage, deductible status, and estimated benefits for your planned treatment. This helps you know what to expect before we begin.

Pre-Treatment Estimates

We provide clear, written estimates before starting any treatment. You’ll know the total cost, your estimated insurance benefit, and your expected out-of-pocket portion. No surprise bills or hidden fees.

Payment Options and Policies

Payment at Time of Service

We ask patients to pay their estimated portion at the time of service. Once we verify your insurance benefits, we’ll calculate your expected out-of-pocket cost based on your coverage. You pay this amount when you receive treatment, and we’ll bill your insurance for their portion.

This approach keeps things simple – you’re not left waiting to see what insurance pays or dealing with unexpected balances weeks later.

We offer a Ministry Discount for those in full-time ministry.

We accept multiple payment options to make dental care accessible:

    • All major credit cards – Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
    • CareCredit financing – Special healthcare financing for larger treatments with approved credit
    • Cash discounts – Available for patients paying in full at time of service
    • Other financing – For larger cases we work with our local bank Amarillo National Bank or Proceed Finance to help patients finance their treatment plans.

CareCredit is a healthcare credit card designed specifically for medical and dental expenses. It offers:

  • Financing options for larger treatments
  • Manageable monthly payments
  • Quick approval process
  • Can be used for family members’ dental care too

We can help you apply for CareCredit and understand which financing plan works best for your situation.

What We Don’t Offer

To be completely transparent about our financial policies:

  • No senior or military discounts – Our pricing is already fair and transparent for all patients
  • No in-office membership plans – We focus on quality care, not subscription models
  • No interest-free financing – CareCredit offers promotional financing options with approved credit

Maximizing Your Dental Benefits

Our team helps you get the most from your insurance:

  • Timing treatments strategically – Spreading major work across benefit years when advantageous
  • Accurate coding – Proper documentation and coding to maximize reimbursement
  • Pre-authorization when helpful – Submitting treatment plans to insurance for pre-approval on major cases
  • Clear communication – Explaining your benefits and out-of-pocket costs upfront

We want you to use your benefits wisely while receiving the quality care you deserve.

Questions About Insurance and Payment

Fee-for-service allows us to provide higher quality care without insurance company restrictions. We can use better materials, take appropriate time for procedures, and recommend treatment based on your needs rather than what insurance prefers to cover. Many patients find the slightly higher out-of-pocket cost is worth the better quality and attention they receive.

Every patient’s treatment needs are different. During your appointment, we’ll examine your teeth, discuss recommended treatment, and provide a detailed written estimate. We’ll also verify your insurance benefits and calculate your expected out-of-pocket cost before you commit to treatment.

Many of our patients don’t have insurance. We offer cash discounts for patients paying in full at time of service, and CareCredit financing is available and for larger treatments we work with our local bank Amarillo National Bank or Proceed Finance to help patients finance their treatment plans. We’ll work with your budget to create a treatment plan that addresses your most important needs first.

Yes. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can be used for dental treatment. We accept FSA and HSA debit cards just like regular credit cards.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We believe you deserve to know exactly what your dental care will cost before treatment begins. Our team takes time to:

  • Verify your insurance benefits accurately
  • Provide clear written estimates
  • Explain all costs in plain language
  • Answer your financial questions honestly
  • Work with your budget when possible

Quality dental care is an investment in your health and confidence. We’re committed to making that investment as straightforward and manageable as possible.

Questions About Your Coverage?

Call us at (806) 358-7646 and our team will be happy to verify your benefits and answer questions about costs and payment options. We’ll help you understand your insurance coverage and create a financial plan that works for your situation.

Whether you have insurance or not, we’re here to help you receive the quality dental care you need.