Travis J. Calhoun, DDS Financial Policy
Straightforward answers about how payment works at our practice.
Our Financial Policy Keeps Your Care Transparent
Understanding how payment works before your appointment matters. At the office of Travis J. Calhoun, DDS, we believe patients deserve clarity, not confusion, when it comes to cost. Our financial policy is designed to be honest and direct, so you can focus on your care rather than paperwork. We are a fee-for-service practice, which means we operate independently of insurance networks, and we are committed to explaining what that means for you before treatment ever begins.
Financial Policy Information
What Fee-For-Service Means for Your Care
This practice is 100% fee-for-service, meaning we are out-of-network with all dental insurance carriers. At first glance, that may sound like a disadvantage. In reality, it can mean something quite different. When a dentist participates in an insurance network, that contract often restricts which procedures are approved, which materials can be used, and how clinical decisions are made. Out-of-network care removes those constraints entirely, allowing Dr. Calhoun to recommend what is genuinely best for your oral health rather than what an insurer has pre-authorized.
As Dr. Calhoun has put it directly, being out-of-network can actually benefit patients, and that is something not enough people realize. At this practice, your treatment plan reflects your clinical needs, not the limits of a third-party agreement.
Here is how our financial policy works in practice:
- Payment is expected at the time of service for your portion of the cost
- We file all insurance claims on your behalf so you can receive whatever out-of-network reimbursement your plan allows
- Most insurance carriers send reimbursement directly to you; if a carrier sends payment to our office instead, we will adjust the arrangement accordingly
- HSA and FSA funds are accepted as a form of payment
- Flexible in-house payment arrangements are available on a case-by-case basis through our front desk team
- Medicaid is not accepted; Medicare Advantage is not accepted
Our team will always be upfront with you about what to expect. If you have questions about your out-of-network benefits or what your plan may reimburse, we are happy to walk you through that conversation before your visit.
We want you to feel informed and confident when you walk through our door, and that starts with a clear financial policy that respects your time and your intelligence.
Process
Navigating payment at a fee-for-service practice is simpler than most patients expect. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
Your Appointment
Dr. Calhoun will evaluate your oral health and discuss any recommended treatment with you directly. Because we are fee-for-service, his recommendations are based solely on what is clinically appropriate for your situation.
Cost Transparency
Our team will walk you through the fees associated with your treatment so there are no surprises. Payment for your portion is collected at the time of service.
Insurance Filing
If you carry dental insurance, we will file your claim on your behalf. Most carriers send the reimbursement check directly to you. Our team will let you know what to expect from your specific plan.
Questions or Arrangements
If you have concerns about a larger treatment plan or need to discuss a flexible payment arrangement, speak with Leslie at our front desk. She handles these conversations with care and flexibility, and there is no judgment involved, just an honest discussion about what works for your situation.
Why Fee-for-Service Dentistry Is Different
The Freedom to Treat You the Way You Deserve to Be Treated
One of the most meaningful differences between fee-for-service dentistry and in-network care is the clinical freedom it creates. Insurance networks require participating dentists to follow protocols set by the insurer, which can limit material choices, delay necessary procedures, or exclude certain treatments from coverage altogether. At this practice, none of those restrictions apply.
Dr. Calhoun has been treating patients in the Asheville community for over 30 years as a private practice dentist. During that time, he has consistently chosen to operate outside insurance networks because it allows him to make decisions based entirely on what is right for each patient, not on what is easiest to bill. That philosophy shapes every treatment plan, every material selected, and every conversation at the front desk.
For patients accustomed to in-network dental care, the transition to a fee-for-service model can feel unfamiliar at first. But many patients find that the quality of care, the time Dr. Calhoun spends with each person, and the clinical outcomes speak for themselves. Our team is always available to answer questions and help you feel comfortable with how our practice operates.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have never visited a fee-for-service dental practice before, you likely have questions. Here are the ones we hear most often.
Does your practice work with dental insurance at all?
Yes, we file insurance claims on your behalf so you can receive your out-of-network benefits. While we do not participate in any insurance networks and are not an in-network provider for any carrier, we actively support patients in receiving whatever reimbursement their plan provides. Most carriers send that reimbursement directly to the patient.
Do I have to pay the full amount upfront?
Patients are expected to pay their portion at the time of service. If you have insurance, we will file your claim, and your carrier will typically reimburse you directly for the out-of-network benefit your plan covers.
If you have concerns about a larger treatment plan, speak with our front desk team about flexible arrangement options before your appointment.
What if I need a payment arrangement for a larger procedure?
Flexible in-house payment arrangements are available and are handled through a direct conversation with Leslie at our front desk.
There are no fixed rules or preset terms. The discussion is open-ended and based on your individual situation. Whether you are a new or long-standing patient, we are willing to have that conversation and find something that works.
Questions about payments and financing options? Give us a call at (828) 277-2722.