Author Topic: Advice Needed Re: Lapse of Dental Coverage (Read 7198 times)

Devonai · « **on:** June 14, 2011, 11:26:24 PM »

So here's my problem. I had my last drill with the Army Guard in March, and my Tricare health/dental expired the next day with no option to renew. I have health care through the VA, but like an idiot I waited too long to sign up for dental through my civilian employer. I missed the 30-day window and now I have to wait for the next open enrollment period, which is in November.

My problem is that I am trying to transfer to the Air Guard and I have an impacted wisdom tooth. It got flagged during my last exam, and while the Army didn't care, the Air Guard won't accept my transfer until I fix it. There is a $15k bonus on the line here, and if I wait until November I will lose it.

I may have to try to get a personal loan from my bank, since I have good credit and only my car payment as debt, and pay for the surgery myself. Does anyone else know of any other options I may have? I have heard there are Dentists that offer military discounts but that would still put the bulk of the burden on me.

(BTW, I would stay in the Army Guard if there were any bonuses out there. Right now there is squat.)

GigaBuist · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:31:02 PM »

A single impacted wisdom tooth should run about $250 to pop out.

Do you really need a loan for this? Or are my prices way off? My brother just had two done (without insurance) and the total bill was $500.

grampster · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:32:02 PM »

Better dentists will have payment plans.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:54:02 PM »

Quote from: GigaBuist on June 14, 2011, 11:31:02 PM

A single impacted wisdom tooth should run about $250 to pop out.

Do you really need a loan for this? Or are my prices way off? My brother just had two done (without insurance) and the total bill was $500.

It depends on whether they can get to the tooth and remove it with only a local anesthetic or whether they have to go in and cut them out after placing you under general anesthesia...but then again removing all four of my wisdom teeth with general anesthesia wasn't too horrible, and I paid completely out of pocket (most expensive part was the anethesia and associated fees)

Devonai · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2011, 12:05:01 AM »

Giga, I would be over the moon at this point if it was only $250! As it stands I have yet to take myself in for an estimate. I am worried it could be well over a grand. I hope you're right. Avenger, do you recall the cost? Fortunately I only have one tooth to worry about.

Grampster, I'll shop around and get the lowest interest rate. If I get a deal like Giga then I won't need one.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2011, 12:31:15 AM »

I have pliers, and enjoy travel.

Devonai · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2011, 12:40:25 AM »

Coming from someone who uses a computer keyboard like a blunt instrument, I think I'll pass.

The frustrating thing is that the tooth hasn't moved for ten years. It's partially erupted, that's it, no pain or problems associated with it. When I first joined the military it was mentioned only in passing, then completely ignored during my annual checkups. Until last December, anyway. If I had anticipated this problem I could have taken care of it before my Tricare ran out.

MillCreek · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2011, 12:47:13 AM »

If you live near a dental school, the oral/maxillofacial surgery section often has a student clinic offering low-cost work.

Jim147 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2011, 12:54:21 AM »

Mill creek beat me to it while I was out for a smoke break.

It's been several years since my wife had all four taken out but I don't remember it costing too bad.

A new practice in the area might be a little cheaper trying to build up a customer base.

jim

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2011, 02:06:40 AM »

Quote from: The artist formerly known as fistful on June 15, 2011, 12:31:15 AM

I have pliers, and enjoy travel.

I have Vice-grips and rum. I don't much care for travel though.

gunsmith · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2011, 02:58:17 AM »

If it doesn't hurt, why not wait until Nov?

Scout26 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2011, 03:06:11 AM »

Quote from: gunsmith on June 15, 2011, 02:58:17 AM

If it doesn't hurt, why not wait until Nov?

'Cause they won't let him play zoomie and collect $15k.

Get an estimate at a local dental school.

Impacted, huh? I'll do it for $50 with some good booze and one of those Annihilator tools. I like travel. I'll being along Fistful so I can get in some practice before I operate on you.

Devonai · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:03:14 AM »

I would get the first half of that bonus upon completion of tech school, so if I got a payment plan or loan with, say, a 60 month term, I could have it paid off within 12 months anyway.

The Air Guard has a few advantages even if I don't get that juicy bonus. One, I've already been working as a civilian on this base for 3.5 years, and I live 3 miles away. Airmen are almost always released on drill nights so I could actually sleep in my own damn bed on drill weekends. Two, the aforementioned comfort level in general and pace of training. Three, tech schools are typically under eight weeks. The one I've got my eye on (Aerial Port) is only 5.5 weeks down in Fort Lee, VA.

I will have to research dental schools and see if there's one near me that does that.

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:01:42 AM »

Ya know, there is probably an opportunity to employ some detcord here.

Scout26 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:53:09 AM »

Quote from: RoadKingLarry on June 15, 2011, 05:01:42 AM

Ya know, there is probably an opportunity to employ some detcord here.

Good Point. Get an estimate from the local Plastic Surgery School as well. You never really liked that nose, did ya?

Fly320s · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:45:25 AM »

Devonai, quit worrying about what might happen. Go find a dentist and get an exam and estimate. Then worry about how you'll pay for it.

Tuco · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:51:37 AM »

Quote from: Fly320s on June 15, 2011, 07:45:25 AM

Devonai, quit worrying about what might happen. Go find a dentist and get an exam and estimate. Then worry about how you'll pay for it.

A bit over 10 years ago, double extraction, uppers, with a GENERAL anesthetic was under under $500.
(I hate dental work, general was the only way I was doing it).
I removed the sutures myself.

Devonai · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:52:24 AM »

I'll have none of your "logic" in my thread!

Tuco, I hope you're not too far off.

280plus · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2011, 08:03:51 AM »

UCONN medical center in Farmington CT has the dental school. Be brave cause they're students.

OR

The guy I use is in vernon, Ronald Delvecchio on hartford turnpike. HE's a reasonable guy and I pay him my portions over time when I need to. he's like some big cheese with the local periodonists organization. President for a while, not sure he still is. Knows his stuff. Kudos if you can get a laugh out of him.

http://ronalddelvecchiodds.com/

Devonai · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2011, 08:34:21 AM »

Sweet, thanks for the local leads! I will follow those up soon. Vernon and Farmington are both within easy travel.

grampster · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2011, 08:44:34 AM »

I know of a world inhabited by Tooth Critters in the Besser Expanse. They will do the work for a half pound of enamel.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2011, 09:28:26 AM »

Do you happen to have an Ice skate laying around?

MechAg94 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2011, 09:51:42 AM »

My dental plan is basically just a negotiated price list with my insurance. Any procedure pretty much has a fixed price. I would assume that same would happen without insurance if you ask.

On a different tack, it would be interested if other health care was set up the same way in that testing and procedures were done at set rates, paid for by the patient, and reimbursed if necessary by insurance companies.

Tuco · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2011, 10:08:38 AM »

After getting a quote, be sure to ask for "The cash discount".
A portion of medical costs are to cover the cost of insurance billing.

lee n. field · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2011, 11:51:51 AM »

Quote from: Devonai on June 14, 2011, 11:26:24 PM

So here's my problem. I had my last drill with the Army Guard in March, and my Tricare health/dental expired the next day with no option to renew. I have health care through the VA, but like an idiot I waited too long to sign up for dental through my civilian employer. I missed the 30-day window and now I have to wait for the next open enrollment period, which is in November.

My problem is that I am trying to transfer to the Air Guard and I have an impacted wisdom tooth. It got flagged during my last exam, and while the Army didn't care, the Air Guard won't accept my transfer until I fix it. There is a $15k bonus on the line here, and if I wait until November I will lose it.

$15K bonus? Put the dental work on a credit card, and pay it off with the bonus.

I had a wisdom tooth out this past year, described as an "extraction of unusual difficulty". I went with general anesthesia. It came to, I think, around $1300.

Have health insurance? I don't, and I worry.

Quote

When I first joined the military it was mentioned only in passing, then completely ignored during my annual checkups. Until last December, anyway.

My experience as well. I had one dentist mention it, in 1978. Nobody else said a word about it, until the current guy, last year.

News:

Author Topic: Advice Needed Re: Lapse of Dental Coverage (Read 7198 times)