I have great medical insurance and dental, through Aetna. The only downfall is that they ONLY cover 50% of psychiatric/psychology. Which is a shame, since I truly believe that this country can really use a better mental health care system. I've unfortunately been to the ER countless of times, due to being sick and asthma, but I'm working at better maintaining my health. The total expenses weren't too high, they were anywhere from $400 to $4000 ish, for one visit, the $4 grand one including full xrays, CT scan, ekg, etc, and with insurance they all came down to about $50 to $200 ish, after going through insurance, so it's not unreasonable, and they DO have payment plans. However, what if something major happened. Surgery, heart attack, cancer. Wouldn't that catapult the total costs into the $100,000 range? And even if I have insusrance then, how much would they cover? This really scares me. Should I be saving alot just in case? How do we prepare for this?
--------------------
You are right to be concerned because insurance companies have all manner of exclusions and "caps" on procedures so you will find many times if seriously ill (as with cancer or heart disease) that there is plenty that the insurance will not do a thing about. How do you prepare for this? If you can get a catastrophic medical care plan, that might be useful to you. Many people have two or more insurance policies--and for good reason. IF you are eligible for an HSA, that's a smart move. Find some info here: http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/public-af… Depending on what your income as well as debts, etc. are, you MIGHT be able to qualify for some reduction in expenses for treatment with "charity" care but hospitals are loathe to offer this information and apparently don't have to post their guidelines for them either. You WILL find that in many cases, if you speak with the financial department and offer to pay in a very short space of time (such as a week) that you CAN get a discount on something you owe. The tricky part is when you're really sick, you can't find the energy or brain power to do this usually. Also if you have insurance you really do NOT know what they will cover until it's a done deal--and they likely will try NOT to pay even if they are supposed to. Still, as soon as you get an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) from your insurance, look through and see why anything was denied. You may be able to appeal that decision. Also patient financial services SHOULD be willing to look at any substantial bill AND your policy and try to do something to help you. They'll say it's not their job, etc. and in some cases, probably could get in trouble, but let's get real: the average person can NOT afford what the hospital charges the uninsured (or insured who have something NOT covered) so something is going to have to give. You SHOULD be very concerned no matter what anyone says because more than half of all bankruptcies in the US are owing to medical bills AND many of those people ARE insured. The system does not work well for a variety of reasons. You may also be able to get assistance through a charitable organization or such if you get buried in debt. You will also want any denied portions of a bill examined carefully as hospital billing errors are common. People are simply going to have to get over the notion that being insured means they are TRULY protected financially. It's not the case (see bankruptcies). There's a ton of misinformation out there on insurance, health care, and more. Insurance policies tend to waffle on important issues and because of their "caps" trick, many times you are told something is covered, BUT YOUR financial liability will be in the tens of thousands or more. You need to do everything you can to get to a BOTTOM LINE accounting for anything expensive. In an emergency, this is NOT possible to do, however, which is why the above suggestions are offered. To be blunt, there are NO guarantees that you won't be bankrupted no matter how careful you are or if you have policies. One of the other smart things to do is to do everything you can to get yourself as healthy as possible. Your diet, amount of sleep, exercise, not smoking, not drinking (the resveratrol can be had in grape juice), not drugging, not participating in dangerous activities (from driving fast to texting while driving as well as obvious things like bungee jumping), and having a reasonable weight all help. Get a physical and listen to the doc's advice. Get YOUR lab work numbers in good shape--whatever that means for YOUR situation. Even people who feel well should have a physical with just that idea in mind. Also get a health care power of attorney--find someone you can trust in case you're unable to speak for yourself--so you get the treatment you'd ask for IF you were capable of doing it. (You can be unconscious for many reasons.) Kudos to you for recognizing you're vulnerable. Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Oprah, and the current president of the US have nothing to worry about for medical bills. That's the complete list of people who should not be concerned in the US. Outside the US, many don't realize their national health has all manner of restrictions on what they can get--and when.
Source
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Dentist in Austin TX that will work with us?
My husband needs some major dental work done. We've been in school for the past 2 years and don't have insurance. We're not looking for a hand out just some suggestions. We are looking for a dentist that will work with us and let us make payments or something like that. Or a dental plan (like insurance). Any suggestions?
--------------------
I would encourage you to visit this site www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up on-line over 5 years ago now for all me dental needs and they have saved me thousands of $$$ over the years. From root canals, cleanings, xrays, exams...etc. All services are included in this very affordable plan. Including cosmetic surgery, orthodontics and dentures. They even had my benefits active in 2 hours and was able to use it the very same day. Then, see if you could possibly work a payment plan with the dentist and/or carecredit is the most common for dental work.
Source
--------------------
I would encourage you to visit this site www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up on-line over 5 years ago now for all me dental needs and they have saved me thousands of $$$ over the years. From root canals, cleanings, xrays, exams...etc. All services are included in this very affordable plan. Including cosmetic surgery, orthodontics and dentures. They even had my benefits active in 2 hours and was able to use it the very same day. Then, see if you could possibly work a payment plan with the dentist and/or carecredit is the most common for dental work.
Source
How do you fix the economy?
I had an idea, 200 a month for anybody 18 or older to have health insurance, car insurance, vision, dental, and life insurance. That will save everybody in the U.S. probably 50-100 a month, could insure everybody and create more money through out all income levels. What do you think?
--------------------
Drop income tax and impose a straight sales tax on everything you buy...everything. The more you spend, the more you will pay. Even people making a living doing illegal things (selling drugs, prostitution) have to buy stuff
Source
--------------------
Drop income tax and impose a straight sales tax on everything you buy...everything. The more you spend, the more you will pay. Even people making a living doing illegal things (selling drugs, prostitution) have to buy stuff
Source
Dental implant now? or Bridge temporary?
I currently have a winged bridge fused to metal it's the tooth left to my two front teeth. I've had the bridge since I was 15...so about 6 years now since the tooth never came in. I'm looking into a dental implant- the insurance I got through my work currently has started covering implants this year. As well as I have insurance still through my parents. Unfortunately for this year I have used up the insurance with my parents (1500) on two veneers for my two front teeth. So I'm currently left with the 1500 on 2nd insurance. So my question is....Since starting next year I will have the 1500 through my parents to cover the crown for the implant and my 2nd insurance to cover the actual insurance...should I just wait until next year to do that? Currently since I still have the 1500 through my 2nd insurance should I temporarily get a new all porcelain winged bridge until next year? Or will doing this cause more harm to my adjacent teeth? Thanks!
--------------------
Be careful with the two insurance plans. A lot of insurance companies do coordination of benefits which means the second will balk at paying more that the max regardless of which plan paid the first $1500.00. The insurance companies coordinate their databases to verify that somebody isn't submitting above the limit. They instituted this when they discovered a lot of working spouses were covering each other with their work plans and getting around the yearly limits. If you can get the implant done later this year (it has to sit in place for 4-6 months) before the crown can be applied. After the first of next year get the crown.
Source
--------------------
Be careful with the two insurance plans. A lot of insurance companies do coordination of benefits which means the second will balk at paying more that the max regardless of which plan paid the first $1500.00. The insurance companies coordinate their databases to verify that somebody isn't submitting above the limit. They instituted this when they discovered a lot of working spouses were covering each other with their work plans and getting around the yearly limits. If you can get the implant done later this year (it has to sit in place for 4-6 months) before the crown can be applied. After the first of next year get the crown.
Source
Dental Plan in USA: Which is the best and affordable?
I found out my global health insurance only covers emergency dental procedures here in the USA. Now i'm looking for a dental plan to make trip to dentist affordable. I will probably need a filling or two. What is a good dental plan to buy? (I've been looking at USAdentalcare.com)
--------------------
I would encourage you to visit this great website: www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up online over 5 years ago and they have saved me thousands of dollars on all dental services. From xrays, exams, fillings, Cleanings, root canals, and even my braces. They even had my affordable plan active in 2 hours and was able to use them the very same day. hope this helps
Source
--------------------
I would encourage you to visit this great website: www.healthsavings.ourperfectcard.com I signed up online over 5 years ago and they have saved me thousands of dollars on all dental services. From xrays, exams, fillings, Cleanings, root canals, and even my braces. They even had my affordable plan active in 2 hours and was able to use them the very same day. hope this helps
Source
Is there any1 who is a dentist here? Or a dental assitant?
I have recently visited a doctor in where we devised a plan to pull my remaining 5 teeth so I can get immediate dentures. I was shocked however to find out it would be 580$ even with insurance. He had said he was going to do a bone plaining or grafting procedure (not sure of the term here) so that my denture will fit more comfortably. My question is do I have to do this? can I just have my teeth pulled and the immediate dentures placed without the bone smoothing procedure to bring down my cost? I cannot afford all of that at this point, can I ask my dentist to forgo the bone smoothing for now? Will a dentist do that? PLEASE ANSWER! I need teeth! I believe the name of the procedure is Alveoplasty: Smoothing the Jawbone, do I have to have this? can I not get that procedure?
--------------------
You should ideally have the alveoplasty. With out getting into technical terms, it's hard to explain why. Just kind of think of it as trying to put in a road. The contractors first have to smooth the ground and area to get the pavement flat. It's kind of the same way with your mouth. The alveolar ridge is full of bumps and crevices. In order not to create more serious problems like gum erision, etc. they need to first smooth out the area where the denture will be seated. Hope that makes sense! Perhaps you can talk to your dentist about financing, or applying for credit through Carecredit.
Source
--------------------
You should ideally have the alveoplasty. With out getting into technical terms, it's hard to explain why. Just kind of think of it as trying to put in a road. The contractors first have to smooth the ground and area to get the pavement flat. It's kind of the same way with your mouth. The alveolar ridge is full of bumps and crevices. In order not to create more serious problems like gum erision, etc. they need to first smooth out the area where the denture will be seated. Hope that makes sense! Perhaps you can talk to your dentist about financing, or applying for credit through Carecredit.
Source
how much to get your teeth pulled at aspen dental?
I have some extra teeth that's in the back of my mouth, and also some teeth that really need to be pulled. I have insurance cigna but I don't want to spend at lot out of pocket. Help!!!
--------------------
With your dental insurance after your deductible it should be minimal. Aspen is very inexpensive and offers a lot of cut rate dentistry. good Luck
Source
--------------------
With your dental insurance after your deductible it should be minimal. Aspen is very inexpensive and offers a lot of cut rate dentistry. good Luck
Source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)