Why you should always have an emergency fund

[herdtoDisney]

My health insurance is the same way (we do not have dental insurance). If you get your wisdom teeth removed at a covered oral surgeon, it's covered (with a copay). If you have it done at a regular dentist, it's an 'extraction' and not covered. It's very confusing-I didn't even know this until last week when DS went to the dentist for an eval.

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, your point is right, anything can happen and it is important to have the money just in case.

 

[Cindy B]

I had one wisdom tooth to be extracted. Due to the type of problem, my medical insurance covered it instead of dental. I had to go to an oral surgeon instead of my dentist, but other than that.. it was 100 per cent covered by medical INSTEAD of dental.

 

[momtosam]

NMW you crack me up hahaha!!! You got that right.

But I just called the surgeon, as well as my healthcare provider and all I'm responsible for is the x-rays, and a $25.00 copay! Thank you guys so much.

Wow, that's awesome! I'm glad you were able to cut down the bill!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Get that dental insurance.. you never know.. especially when you start having kids.

My oldest is getting his 4 out this month and its covered 100%. I had a root canal Tuesday and with that and the post and crown its costing me $590 out of my pocket. Im afraid to know what it would be if I didnt have insurance.

That is great news that they are covering it

 

[DuckMom]

To add to the previous post about kids and dental insurance, if you can, just add your child as soon as he/she is born. My oldest son's tooth enamel on his baby teeth didn't develop properly in utero (assumption is I had a fever was sick, but not known for sure) and he had to have EXTENSIVE dental work done at 25 months ... in the range of $7,000 ... for teeth that are now falling out! He had been added to DH's dental policy by accident during re-enrollment several months before, but that accident ended up saving us tons of money. We put DS#2 on as soon as he was born.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We have both our medical and dental through Blue Cross. My DD16 needed her wisdom teeth out this past summer. 2 were impacted, 2 were not (yet thought they said as they pushed in more they would have been) and one was causing her pain. We had it done at an oral surgeon and our OOP was almost $600 and that was without being put under (which she wanted but it was $300 not covered so we just couldn't do it.)
You were very lucky!

 

[windycitymom]

It sure would help if the dental staff in the dentist office said, "Do you have health insurance? If so, check and see if they will pay for extraction of the wisdom teeth." But nooooo, they take your money instead of trying to help people save money.

I would have never thought wisdom teeth removal might be covered under health insurance!

The knowledge I've learned on this budget board is priceless!!!

 

[tlh0726]

just curious if you checked on if wifey's prior tooth removal could be reinbursed.

 

[dreamin_disney]

This is great info! DD12 will eventually need hers out when she gets them. I had mine out..
1st was was taken out and i had to be put under. I think they wanted my $250

2nd was so infected I couldnt open my mouth to much. My dad took me to a dentist in his town( i was out of state visiting) He paid $70 and I was awake. It was a great positive experience.

3rd one i had the last 2 taken out. I was under and it was a negative experience. I htink he gave me to much meds to kncok me out. The nurse and sis were walking me to the car and i wasnt even 100% awake. Another $250 i think. Oh and i got the miserible dry socket

i was to scared to take all 4 out at once but I think dd will get all 4 out at once. Better to get it done and over with.

But my duh moment was I was told i needed meds RX i told them i dont have rx coverage on my dental. The lady said "dont you have health insurance to cover it'? DUH! I didnt realize it-lol! I was single and young so didnt know-lol!

 

[eliza61]

Oy Vey, don't get me started on last year. We are now in the process of rebuilding our emergency fund. Many of you may remember me whining (literally, almost ready to throw myself off a bridge) about the cash outlay. Dh and I called it our financial blizzard of 2010. LOL.

Let see:
1) Washer died $500 bucks
2) dryer died ( of course, they're a couple. one can't live without the other) 500 bucks.
3) the first day it hit 90 degrees in Philly, can you guess what happen. ac died (6K on that one)
4) roof replaced (10k)
5) 5k IRS bill.

so the 20K we had in the bank was depleted. why is it so easy to go and so hard to build up??


Now I guess we can't complain about the repairs and replacements because all our appliances were 18 years old. I remember because we got them the year my youngest was born. so 18 years is a good life but it's never easy.

 

[maggiew]

OP, don't feel bad about not knowing your wisdom teeth removal might be covered under your medical insurance. I had to call my insurance company today to discuss my daughter's wisdom teeth removal. It is NOT covered by my medical plan. It is covered through the dental plan at my husband's work. Luckily we have the dental plan (which is through another company than the medical).

Maggie

 

[NY Disney fan]

Oy Vey, don't get me started on last year. We are now in the process of rebuilding our emergency fund. Many of you may remember me whining (literally, almost ready to throw myself off a bridge) about the cash outlay. Dh and I called it our financial blizzard of 2010. LOL.

Let see:
1) Washer died $500 bucks
2) dryer died ( of course, they're a couple. one can't live without the other) 500 bucks.
3) the first day it hit 90 degrees in Philly, can you guess what happen. ac died (6K on that one)
4) roof replaced (10k)
5) 5k IRS bill.

so the 20K we had in the bank was depleted. why is it so easy to go and so hard to build up??


Now I guess we can't complain about the repairs and replacements because all our appliances were 18 years old. I remember because we got them the year my youngest was born. so 18 years is a good life but it's never easy.

Wow, thank goodness you had the money for that. You could have been in some serious debt.

 

[kelcoppens]

I think your thread should be titled "Why it's important to have dental insurance." Seriously, I would look into it...you just never know with teeth.

Yeah, I agree with this. We have insurance. But the real killers are when something big breaks at home... like your furnace, water heater, roof leak, etc.