Tooth aches

Posted on May 7, 2005 3 Comments

I’m concerned about a certain spending pattern. But those of you who called me out on a recent spending spree (one too many martinis, I suppose) can relax; this is serious stuff, none of the patent-leather fluff I was buying before (too many shoes, too).

My ongoing sticker shock at the price of US health care continues: this month I’ll pay approximately $740 in dental care, followed by $600 in June…and I have fantastic health insurance compared to most of the nation! The problem is insurance companies place an emphasis on reactive care, rather than preventive care. In other words, the companies will help with many costs once you’ve been diagnosed with a problem, but if a doctor advises a procedure to save problems in the future, you’re out of luck.

I had impacted wisdom teeth out, at 25, in order to save myself from root problems, pain, more orthodontics and tooth “adjustments” in later life. Had I waited until they really caused problems, insurance would have paid 80 percent of the $1,400 procedure. Instead, they’ll only pay 50 percent (in effect, admitting that the procedure was, actually, kind of necessary), leaving me to foot the remaining bill of $700. Seven-hundred dollars of pure pain. Awesome.

The payment in June is for braces. I will pay an inital fee of $600 plus $120 every month after for two years. My insurance covers half, again, up to $1,500 over a lifetime.

I had a pre-orthodontics appointment yesterday, where I saved myself $80 (nice!). The staff wanted to give me an x-ray I already received in January, and I refused because my old x-ray is still perfectly usable. The doctor agreed. Interestingly, I had already paid $190 upfront (of course no break out of the costs, just a mysterious “THANK YOU” card with my total price included on it).

After the appointment, the front desk would have let me simply walk out and charge me the full price, but I reminded them that I had one less x-ray than planned in the initial charge. Instead of fixing the problem on the computer and providing me with a record, the receptionist told me that my account “would be credited $80.” (I’m thinking she just made that number up on the spot.) But I took her name, the price quote and date and listed it on my THANK YOU card and will follow up on my next visit.

I swear, the braces will be less of an ordeal than the finances involved.

Monitor your health accounts carefully. Read and reread every single statement. Find out what every charge pays for. Connect with your insurance company to ensure they’ll pay the maximum. If you don’t do these things, you WILL pay from your wallet, and the insurance company and/or doctor will profit.

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