Complaint Review: Dr. Diane Karnavas

My wife and I had a very discouraging experience with Dr. Diane Karnavas, DMD, and would not recommend her for orthodontic treatment or dental needs.

Prior to treatment, my wife and I discussed Dr Karnavas' professional fee for my wife's orthodontic treatment with understanding of our entitlement to a "professional fee" discount as members of a Dental Insurance provider with whom she participated. This "discounted fee" was confirmed in writing, along with other financial conditions.

Prior to entering into a contractual arrangement with Dr. Karnavas, we also brought about discussion if the possibility existed that this professional fee could increase due to a limited time frame we would have the insurance. It was a "cobra" coverage, and I knew that we would not maintain it for the duration of treatment. We did however, know the exact date of coverage termination, and disclosed this date to Dr. Karnavas, which was approx 14 months into an estimated 24 months of treatment.

Dr. Karnavas herself explained that so long as the treatment was "far enough along", as it was stated it would have been in this case, there would not be a fee increase-reverting back to the standard fee due to the loss of the insurance provider. In the interest of appeasing my doubts, Dr. Karnavas' office wrote down an estimate of $250 in non covered expenses for which we would be responsible, if and when the insurance terminated on the date given.

Now 14 months later, Dr. Karnavas reneged on her word, and now expects over $1800 to complete treatment, reverting her professional fee to a non discounted fee, and a substantial cost of treatment increase. She outrightly denies the above allegations, aside from submitting her "revised payment expectations" by mail to my home. Dr Karnavas further denies even having any such conversation with regards to the maintenance of the discounted professional fee at the termination of the cobra plan, despite the contractual arrangement, and our later discussions regarding it.

I am simply interested in having my wife's treatment completed according to the contractual arrangement we had with Dr. Karnavas, however I now have my reservations with regard to the integrity of the office of Dr. Diane Karnavas based on these happenings. My wife and I are concerned that the possibility now exists that this office may exercise exploitation of certain contractual loopholes to gain a further financial advantage in this situation by modifying orthodontic procedure to extend the length of treatment far beyond original estimates provided.

We simply desire to see justice come to pass in this situation, and may pursue the matter legally. We also need others to know and understand what they may be getting themselves into with this health care provider.

Mr niceguy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.