Laid off, question about health care expenses?

I work in VT and I just got laid off my job, I've been working there just under a year. My employer paid for my last month of health/dental insurance, but since I only worked one week in the month before my layoff, they are making me pay for the difference for the other 3 weeks of healthcare. Even though I had no choice of finding cheaper insurance or anything. Can they do that? They are deducting it from my last paycheck (about $300). Someone told me that they couldn't because I did work for them for part of the month and they already paid for it. That is different than COBRA, since I was working part of the time. IF they cannot do that, I need to offer them some sort of proof or web reference to get my money back... I've searched the web and cannot find what I'm looking for, but I may not be searching for the right thing. Anyone know the answer?? Please I'm desperate. Unemployment is only about half what I was earning and there are no jobs in the area. I need all the money I can get! Please HELP!
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most will cover until the end of the month, but that is the company's choice to do so or not. so yes, you may be responsible for the balance. i wish i could give you better news.
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I have an infected impacted erupted wisdom tooth, should I double my antibiotics for two infected teeth?

For a few months I've been experiencing the infamous and unescapable growth of my third molars, aka your wisdom teeth. Last saturday night, I ate some spicy pepperoni pizza, and by midnight my jaw line was swollen and I couldn't close my mouth. My gums were very sensitive and the skin 'flap' over my erupted wisdom tooth was very inflamed. I took a couple Aleve and some tylenol, washed my mouth with mouth wash and set about trying to get to sleep for work in the morning. By 5 am I was experiencing full Trismus and extreme sensitivity in my jaw, neck, and temple. I went to emergency, and after sitting in a waiting room for what seemed an eternity, I was brought a prescription for penicillin and kicked out of the hospital. There are no dentists there, and apparently I should have known that. I don't have dental insurance, and I don't have money for an extraction. But I found a dentist who is going to call me in next time a patient cancels a wisdom tooth extraction -- at the charge of the original patient. I was told I needed to take the penicillin for 72 hours minimum before I could have dental surgery. And continue to take it until I have the problem tooth(s?) extracted. Now it's thursday and I'm in the beginning stages of the same infection on the opposite side, it's quite painful and obvious -- Even through the pain killers I'm on for the original infection. So my question is, with two infections now.. should I double my dose of penicillin? I have 10 days worth, with another refill for 10 days. that would get me about another 8 days of antibiotics. Sorry for the long story, and thank you in advance.
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Doubling the antibiotics will not help. Just keep taking the prescribed amount. However, you DO NOT need to take them to have extractions. Medical doctors know little to nothing about the mouth. For instance, if they told you that you have an impacted, erupted wisdom tooth, that is wrong and impossible. If a tooth is impacted, it cannot be erupted. Also, they tend to prescribe antibiotics for everything. You need to rinse with a warm salter water solution to help with the healing process. Good Luck
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The back of my crown is black :(!!?

i got my crown for the left tooth out of the two front teeth on the top row (whatever i bite with) and that was maybe 4-5 yrs ago. and i didnt notice until i was joking with my sister and she saw behind my tooth that it looked like there was a black tooth under the porcelain...i stuck a small mirror in my mouth to check, and it did seem like half the tooth inside was black as anything, and on top where the porcelain is theres a crack kind of - like a dark J shaped mark. it never hurt or anything, and i brush after every meal etc, i dont know wha i did? well i dont even know what it is....is my tooth decaying? :(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! which would suck because i dont have dental insurance and id have to wait til november to get included in my moms insurance plan...
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Most likely you have a porcelain fused to metal crown and what you are seeing is a little of the metal at the gum line that was not covered with porcelain. This is a common way this type of crown is made and is nothing to worry about.
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Bf’s immaturity: Cultural difference or a real problem?

My bf's 30, American, an associate attorney. I am Chinese, 29, entry level consultant. We've been dating for 3 years and we are really close. He's been living with him Mom. He told me that he is thinking about spend the rest of his life with me. We just signed an apartment lease for a yr and are moving in together next week. But things he's been doing just keep telling me he is immature. His income after tax is 40K per year, but he spent 10K last year on his teeth procedures, didn't bother to look for a dental insurance plan. I asked him to get a dental plan. It's been two weeks and he hasn't done it yet. He always says "I will do research tomorrow." I don't want to see him spending another 5K on a cavity--he could use that money to buy me a ring. He's been looking for his dream job for 3 years, which requires a career change. He's only got 2 interviews, and is still looking. I told him that he is being unrealistic. If he really wants to change career, he should go back to school and recharge himself with a degree required by his dream job. He told me "I will shine." He is always keeping an eye on TV when he works on his resume, and always waits till the last day to submit job application. I thought because he's been living with his mom so he had no pressure of supporting himself and a family, that's why he didn't have the urgency to look for jobs or manage his finance more responsibly. But now we just signed a lease, he has little money in checking account, and 9K credit card debt. We calculated his income and debt and realize if he doesn't want to pay high interest, there are only 8 months left for him to pay off this debt. Even though currently I am making half of what he's making, I have no debt, and have a few thousand $$ in checking. So I just gave him $2K in cash to lower his credit card debt, and I gave landlord $3K for rent security deposit and first month rent. He said he will pay me back later and pay his share of rent after the first month. May be I am too naïve- I thought with a monthly big payment of rent coming, he will have some pressure and treat his life seriously. I am wrong, because he just told me today is the deadline of a job application so he needs to work on his resume tonight- he spent last night watching football game on TV with his friends. I can't believe this. Some ppl asked: if your bf has so many problems, why are you still with him? Well, he is nonsmoker, nonalcoholic, sweet and cute, doesn't go to bars, no complicated relationship history, generous to his friends and family, homeboy, supporting Obama… Maybe these are common among guys, but I've been dating him only for the last three 3 yrs, and one before him. I don't know if most guys have the same good traits. So, is this a culture difference? Some Americans told me: "You guys are not married yet. That's his life, his money, none of your business. " But to me, if two people are thinking about spending rest of their lives together, aren't they supposed to be thinking about the near future seriously and financially?
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to me it sounds like you guys are one good couple... maybe if you two spoke to a third party more experienced about money would help you guys, but relationship wise u guys are doing good. you have to remember, men will always be men, that means dont disturb him when a football game is on, but he does have to be responsible if you two are now living together.. but i dont know of any dude that spends 10k's on teeth wtf?....
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Please help, question about TMJ disorder?

Hello. I am a 23 yr old female. I think I may have TMJ. I am very frustrated with dentists I feel that a lot of the dentists I have seen are only concerened with getting my money and not ansering my questions thoroughly. I have a lot of problems with my teeth... -adult tooth grew in behind baby tooth, still have baby tooth with adult tooth behind it -missing molar on lower left side from a bad abcess -dentist recently told me my jaw alignment is off -dentist recently told me I clench and grind my teeth at night -popping/ clicking sound on left side when I open my mouth -had all four wisdom teeth removed within the last year and a half So those are basically my issues with my teeth. Myparents didnt take me to the dentist much as a kid so I am paying for it now and let me tell you how frustrated I am with all of these issues not to mention its not cheap to fix. any ways I have had this pain in my right temple and also slightly above my right ear. I have also had some ear aches. All of this pain is only felt on the right side. It is not an unbearable pain but it is enough to bother me. I am also a bit of a hypochondriac. I have been worried sick for the past two weeks that I might have some serious problem such as a blood clot or something terrible. I am in sales and have been so worried that I have a difficult time talking with clients and performing at work. I have been a nervous wreck having a few panic attacks over this. I went to an urgent care center one night where the doctor assured me that I probably dont have a blood clot and that he didnt feel it was necesarry to run any further tests. I am still worried thoug. Can any body out there let me know if they have experienced similar pains? and what is causing this? I do not have health insurance at this time so if I need to see a doctor it realy needs to be for an emergency. If this is all TMJ related I can deal with the pain and see a dentist since I do have dental insurance. Please help! Thank you and sorry this was so long!
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The popping/clicking can definitely be a symptom of TMJ. Been there. Do you have a stiff jaw or headache when you wake up? I grind/clench at night and often wake with both. IF TMJ is your problem, get a night guard to wear to help alleviate some of the pressure you're putting on your jaw, and so you don't do damage to your teeth. Also take some magnesium to help relax your muscles before bedtime (I recommend Natural Calm). After awhile of this you can reevaluate. Also, consider taking some steps to help alleviate your anxiety and panic attacks as well. Relaxation tapes, EFT, or even a course I really like called Attacking Anxiety and Depression. Hope things get better for you.
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Another Deadbeat Dad Question...?

My Ex Husband is required based on our divorce decree to pay his share of my daughters medical and dental bills. He makes significantly more money than me so his share is more. The decree states that I pay, send him the receipts and he has 10 days to pay me back. So i sent him the receipts for what the dental insurance didnt pay for certified mail but he never picked it up, so technically I guess he never received it. He knows if it comes from me its probably the receipts for her braces which is going to cost him money. So I'm wondering if certified mail isn't working and i dont really know whether he is going to drag this out and make me take him to court or not. So what's a good way to deliver the mail to get it in his hands-- if he doesnt want to get it??
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In the UK we have a service, called registered i think, it means it has to be signed for at the other end, and the person who signs for it takes the rap if anything goes wrong, also the post office can inform you of its where abouts at any time with bar codes, if that doesn't work and he has visitation rights, give him the bills when he collects/ drops off your child.
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Big decision i have to make can someone help?

I have been at my job for a little over two years, I make $48,000 per year. Two months ago, the company announced it was going to implement a flexible-benefit plan in conjunction with this year's salary raises. I got a review last week, i was informed that my raise would be equivalent to $3,000. they gave options of how to take it 1. Take the entire raise as a monthly salary increase. 2. Take as much of the $3,000 as you desire in the form of vacation at the equivalent of $200 per day. 3. Have as much as you desire of the $3,000 put into a tax-sheltered retirement plan. 4. Purchase additional term life insurance at the cost of $250 per $100,000 of face value. 5. Purchase dental insurance at the cost of $20 per month for yourself and $10 per month for each dependent Dont know which one is the best for me the offer full health benefits
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Wow! I can tell you don't live in Florida (LOL) - the last job I worked not only didn't give any raises in 2009, but made us take mandatory time off, and in 2008 took away our bonuses. The entire 4 years I worked there, the biggest raise they gave was 4%!! You didn't mention anything about health insurance; only dental insurance, and I can't tell from your question if your salary has been adequately supporting your family thus far or if you're really in need of the increased take-home pay. My vote would be to take the entire amount in a tax-sheltered retirement plan. Do you need the extra take-home pay? Because it comes with having to pay additional taxes... Do you need more vacation time? Every day I was off work, stuff just piled up and I needed a vacation again as soon as I got back and saw the mountain of work waiting for me. Plus I didn't enjoy my vacation knowing what I would be coming back to in my in-box. AND you still have to pay taxes on it. I have a State Dept of Insurance License, and term life isn't a big deal unless you're pretty old already and likely to die before the end of the term. When the term is up, that money goes away, it doesn't get paid out! Dental insurance is almost useless since it covers only routine xrays and prophylactic cleanings. If you really need something like a bridge or dentures, the best you get is 50% coverage, and there's a cap on the annual dollar amount you can get in benefits. (My ex-husband got 2 crowns and it used the entire annual benefit amount plus we still owed $1,500 more out of pocket after that. However, if you've got several children, the dental insurance would come in handy. I lost my job in April, and after years of taking payroll deductions for all those benefits, the only thing I got to walk away with was my 401K. So that's my recommendation: the retirement plan, especially since it's tax-sheltered.
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