Dental Insurance

1. 60

   mom101posted 12 years ago

   Is there such a thing as a dental insurance plan that reimburses me after I have gone to the dentist?
   
   I have dental insurance, but, it will not cover any preexisting conditions.
   
   I am about to undergo some major restorative work and the dentist I will be using does not accept any insurance.
   
   Either way I choose to go, I will not be covered by my insurance plan.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      logic,commonsenseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dental insurance is just about the worst insurance I have seen.  It covers very little, especially now days.  However if you have a cavity before you get insurance, I'm sure the will take care of that, along with other minor issues.  It's the big ones that you have to pay out of pocket, regardless of insurance, most times.
      Unless you are a member of Congress of course!

      replyreport
      1. 60

         mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Of course. lol

         replyreport
      2. 60

         mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Of course. lol

         replyreport
      3. 60

         mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Of course. lol

         replyreport
      4. 60

         mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Of course. lol

         replyreport
2. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   A separate issue, but I've got to ask...
   
   Does the dentist not accept insurance, or do the insurance companies not accept him? I'd research this guy... I could be wrong.

   replyreport
3. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   And how long have you had the insurance and who says you are not covered?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No, the dentist does not accept any insurance.
      
      Therefore he is not on their "list". I am free to use him and the ins will reimburse me BUT at a much lower rate than they would pay a dentist on their list.
      
      I took the plan out in Aug of last year, and have a 12 month waiting period on major services. By their calculations, my 12th month will start in Nov.
      
      I spoke with them today and they also informed me, for teeth that had preexisting problems, I had no coverage.
      
      The work I will be having done, with my dentist and no insurance will cost around 1600.  IF my insurance would have paid their part, meaning I had gone to one of their dentist, the cost before insurance would have been 3654 minus the insurance total of 352.  I am about to become a believer that insurance is a rip off.

      replyreport
4. 89

   Stacie Lposted 12 years ago

   From past experience, you had better call dentists in your area and see what insurance plans they take. The sales agents for dental insurance will LIE or the website will give false information as to who accepts it. I learned this the hard way!

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Stacie, I have called just about every dentist from within a 2 hour drive from here.
      
      The insurance policy I have is through my employer.
      
      I spoke with them today and the lady seemed thrilled to tell me, we dont cover that.
      
      Why have it?

      replyreport
5. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   Dental insurance is generally terrible and many reputable dentists don't accept it.  I set up a special saving account and pay into it monthly to cover dental and optical needs.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Does that work out well for you? I am thinking of doing just that.
      
      I am a coward when it comes to pain. I am.
      
      Just about to say to heck with it, and spend half the money, get the teeth out and be done with it.
      
      St least no more pain.
      
      I have a small fortune in dental work under the roof. lol. But, I can't stand pain. The root canals I had are beginning to break apart and etc. etc.

      replyreport
      1. 83

         psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I do it by automatic payment so I hardly notice it.  It takes a few years to build up your target amount (i.e. the cost of a root canal and a new pair of glasses added together) but them it is simple. You just have to pretend the money isn't there to avoid dipping into it.

         replyreport
6. 61

   ALURposted 12 years ago

   I wish you luck! Let me know. I have a crown that will cost $900 out of pocket. My new dating header will read: "Man with dental plan"

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      thank you Alur.
      
      I have come to the conclusion that what psycheskinner is doing, probably is the best thing to do.
      
      At least, the amount you put back each month (designated of course) you know where it will go and that it wont be lining some corporations pocket.

      replyreport
7. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

   Declined

   replyreport
8. 92

   Sue B.posted 12 years ago

   Yes, there are plans like that. I have heart of plans through AFLAC and other supplemental insurance type plans. I find them confusing and  complicated although I do find it cool that they reimburse even when you have insurance covering the procedures.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sue B.
      
      After doing research, I believe these types of plans are actually better to have.
      
      Finding them is the problem. I do not know of any.

      replyreport
      1. 92

         Sue B.posted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I googled AFLAC dental and got this link http://www.aflac.com/business/dental_in … ;WT.srch=1  There are other companies as well.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you Sue B.
            
            I just looked over this and this is the type of policy I need or want. It too also says no treatment coverage for missing teeth. That is part of my problem. I have had a few pulled over the years because I couldn't afford to "save" them. Then, I have had a few root canals, which have since come out.
            
            Insurance? Who knows?
            
            Thanks again.

            replyreport
9. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   I looked at supplemental plans, but the dental ones seem to cost a lot and provide little in return.  The ones that would actually cover an unexpected high cost (rather than just the usual checkups) were really quick expensive.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      pyscheskinner,
      
      can you believe this??? Several years ago i had a tooth pulled, and then another one later on. Since they are molars, my face is sunken looking and it interferes with chewing quiet a bit.
      
      I was planning to get a bridge to help solve this issue. WRONG......Even after undergoing my waiting period, they will not pay a nik on any procedures for those teeth that were missing.
      
      This is HOGWASH.
      
      I am thinking about cancelling the insurance altogether. It is delta dental and their best plan. Expensive to say the least.

      replyreport
      1. 89

         Stacie Lposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I signed up with them   a few years ago and was unhappy to say the least.

         replyreport
10. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 12 years ago

    Actually, anything having to do with medical in America is generally corrupt, crooked, thieving, extortionist, fraudulent, etc.
    
    And this concludes paradigmsearch's rant for the day.

    replyreport
    1. 60

       mom101posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       It sometimes feels good to do that. lol
       
       But seriously, I feel ya pain, and agree with you.
       
       Often, I feel we, well just didn't our kiss. (im hoping you know the beginning of the statement I am referring to).

       replyreport
       1. 92

          Sue B.posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I agree with everyone. I often feel like I would be better off just making a little savings account for my medical expenses and saving what I would pay into plans rather than pay for coverage.  It feels like when we truly need the insurance, whatever we have somehow is just not covered!

          replyreport