Dental Plans

[HCCForever]

I have recently started a consultant position with a new consulting company. I will not have medical nor dental benefit plan for three months. Is there an individual dental plan that any one would recommend?

 

[HuskyHawk]

I have recently started a consultant position with a new consulting company. I will not have medical nor dental benefit plan for three months. Is there an individual dental plan that any one would recommend?

Don't bother. They don't really cover accidents and they are mostly just prepaid plans to get you to have your teeth cleaned twice a year. So what could you possibly need during those three months?

 

[HCCForever]

Don't bother. They don't really cover accidents and they are mostly just prepaid plans to get you to have your teeth cleaned twice a year. So what could you possibly need during those three months?

I was doing it for the discount on treatment. I need some major work done but my dental office agreed to do it for the negotiated price of my current plan which expires next week. The price of that work is over $5K. Without my current plan the cost would be an additional $2000. I called to postpone and they offered me the current plan price so I accepted.

My main goal in a new plan is to get the best negotiated prices. But now I can look around or wait 3 months.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I was doing it for the discount on treatment. I need some major work done but my dental office agreed to do it for the negotiated price of my current plan which expires next week. The price of that work is over $5K. Without my current plan the cost would be an additional $2000. I called to postpone and they offered me the current plan price so I accepted.

My main goal in a new plan is to get the best negotiated prices. But now I can look around or wait 3 months.

Ahh that's different if you have pending work. Usually most people don't need that very often. Unfortunate timing that it comes right when you needed it. Could you do COBRA for 3 months?

 

[HCCForever]

Ahh that's different if you have pending work. Usually most people don't need that very often. Unfortunate timing that it comes right when you needed it. Could you do COBRA for 3 months?

The pending work is on me. I was aware that I needed it for a while but now more urgent. I wasn't planning on changing jobs, but old acquaintances reached out to me since I worked for them in the past.

COBRA is not worth it to me. Too much money for too little benefit. Lesson learned is not to delay any treatment since it will only get more expensive in the future. Since the dentist will allow the original patient charges, I will be okay.

The tricky part of looking for a new plan is determining what your current provider will charge with a new plan or plans. You can acquire certain information such as maximums and percentage covered but that is not all the information that you need. In addition, many plans have missing tooth clauses which will not pay for pending work.

 

[CL82]

Don't bother. They don't really cover accidents and they are mostly just prepaid plans to get you to have your teeth cleaned twice a year. So what could you possibly need during those three months?

Exactly when you run together, your VSP cost or your dental plan cost and compare it to the uninsured cost, it often is the same number. What it does do is get you out of the BS grossed up number for the work and get you down to the actual number that the practice needs to make a profit. That can be useful if you're going to have ongoing costs during the year.

For what it's worth, don't assume that you're actually getting the correct discounted rate. I had a dental plan and the provider paid lipservice to giving the correct negotiated rates but then would bill at a higher rate. I would come back and show the schedule cost that they agreed to with the insurer and require them to honor it. The insurer wasn't particularly helpful. Other than to say "we will call them and remind them of their obligations under the agreement."

For what it's worth, my wife had some dental work done and reflexively paid the amount she was told was due by the provider. I am still working with them to get back the overpayment. I'll get it eventually, but the song and dance is annoying.

 

[HCCForever]

Exactly when you run together, your VSP cost or your dental plan cost and compare it to the uninsured cost, it often is the same number. What it does do is get you out of the BS grossed up number for the work and get you down to the actual number that the practice needs to make a profit. That can be useful if you're going to have ongoing costs during the year.

For what it's worth, don't assume that you're actually getting the correct discounted rate. I had a dental plan and the provider paid lipservice to giving the correct negotiated rates but then would bill at a higher rate. I would come back and show the schedule cost that they agreed to with the insurer and require them to honor it. The insurer wasn't particularly helpful. Other than to say "we will call them and remind them of their obligations under the agreement."

For what it's worth, my wife had some dental work done and reflexively paid the amount she was told was due by the provider. I am still working with them to get back the overpayment. I'll get it eventually, but the song and dance is annoying.

Good points. I have been assuming that I am actually receiving the correct discounted rate. I need to verify especially since my dentist is opening up a restaurant soon. He must be doing well.

 

[Dove]

I have filmed 4 DIY dental videos. I'll share if you're interested.

 

[Deepster]

I'm no dental expert, but would a new carrier (even a temporary one like COBRA) cover pending treatments? I'm curious if a pre-existing condition type limitation might come into play.

In other words, why wouldn't everyone sit around with no insurance until you needed a procedure...then sign up to get the discount?

 

[HuskyHawk]

I'm no dental expert, but would a new carrier (even a temporary one like COBRA) cover pending treatments? I'm curious if a pre-existing condition type limitation might come into play.

In other words, why wouldn't everyone sit around with no insurance until you needed a procedure...then sign up to get the discount?

COBRA is continuation of prior coverage, so they have to cover it (if it would be covered otherwise). Any group plan (employer) is automatically covering pre-existing, they take that risk with the overall pool of employees. An individual plan might not cover it for the reason you mentioned.

 

[HCCForever]

I have filmed 4 DIY dental videos. I'll share if you're interested.

Only if they come with nitrous oxide as recommended by Tim Whatley.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

@HCCForever With a new plan starting 1/1/25, significant dental work may not be covered for several months. That said, don’t rule out healthcare.gov dental options. Or, during a slow holiday week, a quick trip to Mexico or the DR for what your messages suggest may be extensive dental work. Good luck.