Another Dentist Vent

[RangerPooh]

Sounds like it's time to change dentists. Our insurance only covers pediatric dentists until children are age 5, so it was easier for our kids to go to a general dentist. It took a few different practices but we finally found one that we really like. No frilly kid area or treasure boxes, but that's ok as the staff has been great with my bunch.

Now we have had to pay the balance of what the insurance didn't cover upfront for a few procedures, two of us got crowns, but since we have a flex spending account it covered that for us. I'm thinking this might be the norm as we had to do the same thing when we took our oldest to a different practice for a root canal.

 

[Micca]

I went to the same Dentist from about 1970 to 2007. He never was in network for any insurance, he refused to take part, but always worked with patients and often if the balance due was under $20 he just ate it

This is not a recommended practice for good dental health. There's no telling where that $20 has been!

 

[tvguy]

This is not a recommended practice for good dental health. There's no telling where that $20 has been!

LOL. Okay, maybe "wrote it off" would be a better choice of words.

 

[nkereina]

I've changed dentists three times in the last 10 years either due to them no longer accepting my dental insurance, or my dental insurance through my employer changing carriers. You either need to be fluid and willing to change dentists if they no longer accept the insurance, or you need to find one you like and stick with him or her and be willing to pay the cost associated with that. I've never had a dentist that I absolutely love, I could take or leave all the ones I had, so I choose to switch if the insurance becomes an issue.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I've changed dentists three times in the last 10 years either due to them no longer accepting my dental insurance, or my dental insurance through my employer changing carriers. You either need to be fluid and willing to change dentists if they no longer accept the insurance, or you need to find one you like and stick with him or her and be willing to pay the cost associated with that. I've never had a dentist that I absolutely love, I could take or leave all the ones I had, so I choose to switch if the insurance becomes an issue.

Not everyone can "just change" dentists. I'm am totally panicked about going to the dentist (thanks to my "pediatric" dentist when I was young). I've found 2 dentists in my life that I was comfortable enough with to go back to. Yes, I live with tooth pain until I find someone who will work with me (usually needing nitrous oxide) when something goes wrong.

I'm now on Medicare, and I've been assigned to some random Medicare dentist who I don't know. I'm going to give his office a call and see if he offers sedation. I hope so, but I'm not holding out much hope.

 

[wilbret]

My dentist doesn't accept insurance. They give me a copy of the bill, and I just mail it with a form to get reimbursed. I get a check within a couple weeks.
It isn't ideal, but it saves them a lot of paperwork and BS, and they pass their happiness and savings on to me. It's not that much of a hassle, I hated it at first, though.

My coverage is the same as if they filed the paperwork.

 

[tvguy]

Not everyone can "just change" dentists. I'm am totally panicked about going to the dentist (thanks to my "pediatric" dentist when I was young). I've found 2 dentists in my life that I was comfortable enough with to go back to. Yes, I live with tooth pain until I find someone who will work with me (usually needing nitrous oxide) when something goes wrong.

I'm now on Medicare, and I've been assigned to some random Medicare dentist who I don't know. I'm going to give his office a call and see if he offers sedation. I hope so, but I'm not holding out much hope.

Technically, Medicare isn't paying your dental bill. Medicare doesn't pay for dental. What you have is a Medicare Advantage Plan. You have elected to opt out of Medicare, instead you signed up for a Medicare Advantage Plan where Medicare pays a flat fee each month to a private insurance company to provide your medical insurance. Many (if not all) those private insurers throw in free Dental and Prescription coverage to entice you to sign up with them.
My mom had that coverage. As for Dental, exams, cleanings and x-rays were free, BUT all the Dentists here that accept Medicare Advantage Plans will not let you make the usual appointment. You call requesting an office visit, and they call you back a day or two ahead of when they have an opening or a cancellation. You can't request a specific time. That is how the Dentist can afford to offer the services to the private insurance company so cheaply. Rather than having no money coming in due to a cancellation, they have some money coming to help their cash flow.

 

[Disneypro1]

Dentist seem to be everywhere. Our city only has 25 to 30k. And there has to be like 15 dentists to choose from just in this immediate area. Just have to see who accepts what......,and for me. They have to bill l insurance directly and accept payment in full. Most do that with Delta. Dental. Not sure about other companies.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You call requesting an office visit, and they call you back a day or two ahead of when they have an opening or a cancellation. You can't request a specific time.

Well, that's not going to fly for me. I need to have more than a day or two head's up that I'm going to the dentist.

I found out that, while I'm on Medicare, I'm not in a "Medicare dental plan". We have a retiree's plan from my husband's work. AFAIK, I can call and make an actual appointment. They've "assigned" a dentist out of their approved list to me, but I don't have to go to him, I can pick another one. Whew!

 

[nkereina]

Not everyone can "just change" dentists. I'm am totally panicked about going to the dentist (thanks to my "pediatric" dentist when I was young). I've found 2 dentists in my life that I was comfortable enough with to go back to. Yes, I live with tooth pain until I find someone who will work with me (usually needing nitrous oxide) when something goes wrong.

I'm now on Medicare, and I've been assigned to some random Medicare dentist who I don't know. I'm going to give his office a call and see if he offers sedation. I hope so, but I'm not holding out much hope.

Yes, everyone can just change dentists. No one is holding you hostage. I said in my post that people have the choice to either change their dentist so they are within network and don't have the bills, or commit to a dentist they really like and just pay the bills. If you have a fear of dentists and had one you were comfortable with, then its fine to stay with him or her and not explore other options, but that's a choice you're making and would need to be ok with any bills. If you're not happy with the dentist you have now, you have other options. You don't have to settle.

 

[SharonZ]

Can they go to the dentist that you and your husband use? It may not be necessary to keep using a pediatric dentist.

 

[Sleepy425]

That is still crazy high.

Not really. At my office fees are:
child prophy $85
exam $75
Fluoride $75
Xrays $70