COBRA or not?

[Jerry1]

I just received my COBRA paperwork. I will be receiving retiree healthcare so that's not the concern, but retiree healthcare does not include dental or vision. Vision is about $16 per month and DW and I will be getting an eye exam and new glasses under my old plan (expires 1/31/19) in a couple days. So we don't see a need to COBRA vision.

Dental is the issue. For DW and me it is $126/mo. Both DW and I are up on our dental exams and have no dental issues. Of course anything could happen, but that's the point of this question. Does anyone think it's worth $126/mo for dental when my best belief is that DW and I will not experience any significant dental issues in the next 18 months? I know something is possible, but it seems unlikely to me it would be greater than $2,268 ($126 x 18 mos).

 

[USGrant1962]

Drop dental ASAP. After ER I researched it and determined that a simple dental savings/discount plan was a much better deal. My dentist takes Aetna's version - check what yours takes. I think it was something like $280 for a family plan for two years. Basically you are paying Aetna to negotiate some good rates for you, and dentists participate as a way to get new patients (marketing expense).

If I knew and thought about this I would have never had dental insurance even when with MegaCorp. It was similar to what you quoted, and way more expensive than checkups+x-rays+fillings+a crown every few years. And most "insurance" pays crap on major work anyway.

 

[Jerry1]

Good idea. I was thinking in terms of retail pricing. I bet if I went to my dentist who I’ve been with for 20+ years and asked for the price they give an insurer, I’d get a pretty good deal. I’ll focus on working something out directly with the dentist and take my risk on the possibility of needing a specialist.

 

[Aerides]

i dropped dental for cobra. My dentist has a discount/membership plan anyway. Even though I ended up needing a new crown during the period, it was still cheaper than having paid for insurance for a year.

 

[Nick12]

I have got Cobra dental thru my employer for about $30 a month after I early retired. Some others skimp and don't have dental or vision insurance. Not a good idea when you really need those services.

 

[Bir48die]

I always have dental. Came off Cobra and got a private plan. Usually max it out so I save about $500/yr. Something always going on between new crowns, replacing old crowns or root canals

 

[Smitty700]

When I first went on COBRA, I dropped my dental plan thinking I would go without. When I needed a crown, I realized that the big benefit of dental insurance is buying into negotiated rates, as my dentist wanted ~$2000 for a crown list price vs. ~$850 (before insurance benefits) via dental insurance.

This year, I've bought the cheapest Delta Dental PPO plan from Healthcare.gov for me and my wife, about $40 / mo.

 

[COcheesehead]

In a typical year I spend about $200 on dental. In one-off years, if I need a crown I expect to pay about $1100 - $1200. You can negotiate as an individual too, nothing is stopping you from asking for a better price on dental work, I do and they always give me at least something off the price. Drop the coverage.

 

[Sunset]

Our dentist offers a plan for $450 / yr for cleaning, checkup and xrays as needed. twice a year, for 2 people.
This also gives a 20% discount on any work.

We haven't needed any work in 4 yrs

 

[copperdogs]

Also dropped the dental coverage in retirement after running the various numbers/scenarios. Most years we come out ahead, a couple were loser years with an implant, etc. but averages have still comes out in our favor.
Our dentist has remained fair about being open to price negotiations for adute and routine services since dropping insurance, plus offers a double discount: a “senior discount” (we were both in our 50’s when first retired), and also a “cash discount” for paying the bill in full at time of service. Have always felt that our business is still valued in his office despite not being insured.