Root Canal?

[HadEnuff]

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnavynuke Can any of the dentists explain this to me? The way it was presented is that the circled number is what "I am responsible for". My insurance doesn't cover much (routine exam/cleaning/xray only) and I don't see anything in the "Prim" or "Sec" categories, but I'm concerned they'll bill me my "patient" amount initially then the difference between that and "UCF" once insurance officially denies any payment? Is that a possibility or is the "patient" costs reflecting a "cash customer discount" or something? Obviously I'll ask them as well, but wanted another opinion as well.

I have no idea.

[MissMolly]

Although I am not a dentist and don't play one on TV, it appears to me that the circled amount is all you would be responsible for. The higher amounts are what would have been charged if you had not had insurance and the far right column reflects the savings to you since you have insurance. So, they will only be charging a discounted amount to you. Or you could just call them and verify this is correct.

[JoeWras]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMolly Although I am not a dentist and don't play one on TV, it appears to me that the circled amount is all you would be responsible for. The higher amounts are what would have been charged if you had not had insurance and the far right column reflects the savings to you since you have insurance. So, they will only be charging a discounted amount to you. Or you could just call them and verify this is correct.

I'm looking at my recent EOB, with very similar procedures (minus the root canal) and my situation is exactly as MissMolly describes. The circle is what I pay.

[Capwest28]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAE So what did they end up doing to fix your problem? I've had an x-ray done on this tooth (no CT scan), and all they said about the x-ray was that everything looked okay. But the nerve hurts like hell.

I had the tooth extracted and am in the process of bone grafting and implant.

[mn54]

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnavynuke Can any of the dentists explain this to me? The way it was presented is that the circled number is what "I am responsible for". My insurance doesn't cover much (routine exam/cleaning/xray only) and I don't see anything in the "Prim" or "Sec" categories, but I'm concerned they'll bill me my "patient" amount initially then the difference between that and "UCF" once insurance officially denies any payment? Is that a possibility or is the "patient" costs reflecting a "cash customer discount" or something? Obviously I'll ask them as well, but wanted another opinion as well.

You will be paying what is circled. although your insurance is not actually paying much, it is saving you a lot in discounted fees.

[exnavynuke]

Thanks all, I was concerned since my insurance doesn't cover most of the work that they'd end up billing me the difference between "patient" and "UCF", though they said I'd just get billed what was circled. I feel better (about the cost anyway) now.

In fact, it's quite a bit cheaper than I was expecting/planning for.

[oldtrig]

Dental work is something most of us retired don't plan for.

[JoeWras]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtrig Dental work is something most of us retired don't plan for.

But we should. For those us (most) who have no dental insurance, it is especially important.

I've seen a few people here include it in the cost calculations, especially in the "random, unforeseen" category. Stuff like: insurance deductible for tree falling on house, HVAC replacement, water heater, appliance replacement. Add "crown, root canal, implant" to the list.

I'm going to call it $2k a year on average for DW and I. Some years, zero. Some years, implant.

[gayl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capwest28 I had the tooth extracted and am in the process of bone grafting and implant.

Just wondering --- why did you opt for dental implant rather than root canal 1st? Or did I miss something? On my plan:

Implant = $2889
Root canal = free + $85 gas
Porcelain crown = $325

[Corporateburnout]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamaman Every time I see people missing teeth, I immediately think they might have kept their teeth with a root canal--and dental insurance. Missing teeth automatically marks someone's position in society. I have some root canals with caps. The worst part is the pain prior. Go ahead and cut my head off--it is terrible pain that never happens Mon. to Thursday (when dentists work.). Second worst!thing is paying $1700 for the root canal and a cap. Right now, I am missing tooth #13. I hope people don't think I'm going to part.of the toothless crowd. I am ready for a dental implant which will cost $4,000+ before it is over. They should be considered a status symbol at that cost. Maybe I can beat the price in a Mexican dental clinic.

Around here a root canal and a crown go for $2500 and an implant $6000.

BTW I am down in our summer home at the Cape this week and started having a toothache and since I've had multiple root canals I know this tooth needs one. Called my dentist in my home town and will have to drive back next Tuesday as he's on vacation until then. Fortunately the pain is manageable with Advil. I will be charged $100 bucks by my dentist only to tell me what I already know and book an appt. with the endodontist. I thought this year's dental bills will be for cleaning only. No such luck.

[Corporateburnout]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtrig Dental work is something most of us retired don't plan for.

We planned on 5K annual dental bills but we averaged 8K in the three years we've been retired.

[Capwest28]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gayl Just wondering --- why did you opt for dental implant rather than root canal 1st? Or did I miss something? On my plan: Implant = $2889 Root canal = free + $85 gas Porcelain crown = $325

Can't do a root canal on a fractured tooth per the endodontist I saw.