Posted on 08/30/2021 1:37:47 PM PDT by algore
My dentist once told me an interesting story.
He knew another dentist who was having a really hard time - he just wasn’t that good, and he couldn’t get patients. Then NY State added dentistry to Medicaid. This guy signed up, and loaded up on patients - his waiting room was packed, and he ran three chairs with three assistants. The reimbursement rate wasn’t that great, but he found that he could make a nice income on volume.
The same thing is true with Medicare Advantage right now - if you are willing to go to a schlock dentist, you can be covered. The high-class dentists get enough business from paying patients, so they don’t need to go there.
.
Medicare could have covered anything, but of course the taxes would have to go up to cover the extra cost (if it were to be solvent)....
The discussion is academic anyway—the government debt is so out of control that it will all come crashing down....when exactly I have no clue....
That’s true, but it isn’t logical — it doesn’t follow in any way that they should not have covered it.
If the program is wrong, then it shouldn’t cover anything. But if you’re going to have this program to cover the healthcare expenses of seniors, then it should cover everything.
I have no problems with my teeth. If they give me trouble, I take ‘em out and put them in a jar. No problem.
During one's working years, it's important to take advantage of dental plan your company offers. I get two free checkups each year and I take full advantage of that. Every now and then I need some work that I pay a little out of pocket for. But it's worth it. I'll go into retirement with a decent set of teeth.
Also, stay away from sugar and soda pop!
In my opinion most dentists are scam artists.
I do not use their services and have not since I was 19.
at the time my dentist said that I was too wise and should have my wisdom teeth removed, but he could not do it cause they were impacted or something.
I mentioned this to my neighbor after I fixed his trash compactor and he said no problem, I can do that for you.
I went to his office the next week and he grabbed some curved pliers it took him less than 5 minutes.
Never been back to a dentist, and have never had a cavity either.
For all insurance plans, they should’ve been inclusive of dental and optical.
Well, h3ll, just mandate that all dentists work for the government at a rate the government thinks is fair and everybody gets their dental work for free. That’ll solve everything. And if I want gold grills or implants, then it is somebody else’s responsibility to pay for it to make me feel better. < / sarcasm >
Oh goody! Now I will have my neighbors paying for the teeth I never brushed, flossed, regular dental checks, etc. I really love it when someone else pays my way.
Gum disease and heart disease are related
So “Medicare for All” will mean hundreds of thousands of illegals and refugees will be at your dentist.
“Your next appointment can be for, let’s see, 401 days from now. Do you prefer morning or afternoon? And sorry about the pain until then.”
“Just a reminder, if you happen to die before your next appointment have your spouse or partner notify us to cancel your appointment so another can take it.”
My medicare plan does cover dental. I pay a bit more for other medical visits.
The problem with dental coverage is that everybody needs it.
What about the using a Water Pik water flosser? I’m addicted to mine. All kinds of crap gets flushed out with those things, chunks of potato chips, chunks of peanut MnM’s, whatever I eat for dinner. They are great. Will I live longer with that or do I have to hard string floss?
Used to be families took care of their elderly relatives, or people anticipated their future needs and saved. I’m in a quandary on this one. Grateful it’s there now that I’m newly retired, but wondering if that’s just brainwashing that I’ve come to expect it. I always used my coverage under my employer before. I’m honestly not even sure if you are required to take Medicare at 65 or if you can fund your own insurance policy.
I don't think it's your opinion, it's a true statement. It's amazing how many root canals over the years I've turned down and my teeth are still fine. Orthodontists are biggest lowlife crooks of them all, one thing you will never hear from an Orthodontist is "Your teeth are fine, you don't need braces".
The other worst trick you have to watch out for is when the Dentist claim "oh it's just a small cavity" or "it's a quick fix" then when you go for treatment expecting to be in and out, just after they start drilling and have you captive comes the "oh no it's worse than I thought, you are going to need an {expensive} root canal or crown".
I do not use their services and have not since I was 19.
I wouldn't agree to that, but yeah unfortunately it takes lots of due diligence to find a good honest dentist.
“Medicare doesn’t cover a damn thing.”
You are thinking of Medicaid. Medicare has a monthly premium deducted from me SS payment.
regular Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
I heard that the Advantage plans are fine until someone needs to use them, then there are a lot of things that they find out that aren’t covered.
And implants can cost $5,000 per tooth
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.