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Corpse of Chewbacca · 02:23 AM

The Wookiee thinks he might need dental insurance. I know how it's really "pre-paid" but let's say there is a certain someone willing to pay for the insurance but not the actual cost of going to a dentist (yeah, i know it's weird).

Who might you suggest and can I do this all online?

Thanks!

spauldingg · Jan 4, 2006, 10:42 PM

I'd like to help, but I have no friggin idea what you are asking.

DeathToWindows · Jan 4, 2006, 11:22 PM

he seems to be asking "what will dental insurance really cover?" and the answer is, even with extremely good insurance, 50% or so of the actual cost.

doesn't it suck?

Kerrigan · Jan 4, 2006, 11:28 PM

Maybe if wookies starting brushing their ****ing teeth, foul bastards

wallinbl · Jan 4, 2006, 11:34 PM

Does your employer offer dental insurance? If not, then you can pick up a discount plan for yourself for reasonable rates ($75-100/year). They will give you free exams & x-rays and considerable discounts on composites and crowns. The free exams & x-rays will generally more than cover the fee you paid for the discount plan.

Check out:
http://www.safeguard.net/ (I don't really know much about them other than the fact that they offer dental plans to individuals and that the company I work for accepts the plans)

http://www.coastdental.com/preferred.asp (I work for this company, which is not a provider of insurance, but a chain of dental offices that happens to offer a discount plan)

Corpse of Chewbacca · Jan 5, 2006, 01:50 AM

I am a part-time employed, full-time student so no benefits. I have a private PPO for health insurance and they don't offer dental.

Corpse of Chewbacca · Jan 5, 2006, 01:51 AM

Originally Posted by wallinbl

http://www.safeguard.net/ (I don't really know much about them other than the fact that they offer dental plans to individuals and that the company I work for accepts the plans)

grrr...

"If you would like to see more information about these plans, please enter your zip code below. Please note that these plans are available only in certain areas of California, Texas and Florida."

I'm in Boston.

Leia's Left Bun · Jan 5, 2006, 02:22 AM

You spelled wookiee wrong

Corpse of Chewbacca · Jan 5, 2006, 02:23 AM

Fixinated™

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by DeathToWindows

he seems to be asking "what will dental insurance really cover?" and the answer is, even with extremely good insurance, 50% or so of the actual cost.

doesn't it suck?

I must have amazing, out of the world, astoundingly awesome dental insurance then. I have yet to pay a penny for any dental work. Both my wife and I are covered and we both go in for cleanings, x-rays, and the occasional filling twice a year. I even had an emergency root canal a few years ago and didn't pay a penny.

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I must have amazing, out of the world, astoundingly awesome dental insurance then. I have yet to pay a penny for any dental work. Both my wife and I are covered and we both go in for cleanings, x-rays, and the occasional filling twice a year. I even had an emergency root canal a few years ago and didn't pay a penny.

How much is your dental insurance then?

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

How much is your dental insurance then?

I have no idea. My employer pays it.

Along with my optical and health insurance.

For health insurance I only pay $5 co-pay for office visits and prescriptions.

Zero for optical and dental.

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 04:20 AM

well then thats why

Most private dental, the ones people buy for themselves only cover a % which I found to be around 60% as a average.

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

well then thats why

Most private dental, the ones people buy for themselves only cover a % which I found to be around 60% as a average.

A person could buy the same health coverage I have. My brother does for himself and his daughter.

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 04:26 AM

Im guessing its expensive much more then the regular ones people usually buy. Companies usually get a bulk rate discount with the more employees they have on it.

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

Im guessing its expensive much more then the regular ones people usually buy.

But worth it.

Some people like to gamble and not get insurance. I guess that's why it's called "insurance".

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 04:31 AM

yup now if we could cut out the fraud and stupid people of the world, insurance wouldn;t have to be so expensive.

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

yup now if we could cut out the fraud and stupid people of the world, insurance wouldn;t have to be so expensive.

Stupid people will be with us for all eternity.

Fraud, now that is probably the root of all of the health care industry's problems.

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 04:44 AM

all insurance, auto, home and business not just health.

Rolling Bones · Jan 5, 2006, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

Stupid people will be with us for all eternity.

^^^ How true!

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 05:03 AM

and another sad fact, the stupid ones seem to live the longest too.

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Rolling Bones

^^^ How true!

Thank you for confirming my statement.

Xeo · Jan 5, 2006, 07:38 AM

What's the point of $5 copay? You spend that much just driving there!

Railroader · Jan 5, 2006, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Xeo

What's the point of $5 copay? You spend that much just driving there!

I never really understood the whole co-pay thing myself. I've heard it actually discourages people from filling prescriptions. Isn't the point of medicine to get healthier so you don't get sicker and cost the insurance compnay even more money?

I walk to the doctor and the pharmacy

Corpse of Chewbacca · Jan 5, 2006, 03:14 PM

So, uh, does any one have suggestions on private dental plans?

wallinbl · Jan 5, 2006, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Corpse of Chewbacca

So, uh, does any one have suggestions on private dental plans?

Aetna Dental Access
GE Wellness Plan
UniCare 200 (Uni-Care 200, sometimes)
UniCare 100
Protective
ADI UltraCare

There are likely others, I am just familiar with these companies. These are discount plans, so your rates for procedures are fixed - there are no insurance claims. The rates are somewhere around $80-120/individual/year and $120-150/family/year.

wallinbl · Jan 5, 2006, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Corpse of Chewbacca

So, uh, does any one have suggestions on private dental plans?

I think you'll have better luck on search engines if you go with individual dental plans instead of private dental plans. Most of them are 'discount' plans, so throwing that word in there might help.

Athens · Jan 5, 2006, 03:45 PM

bluecross?

wallinbl · Jan 5, 2006, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I never really understood the whole co-pay thing myself. I've heard it actually discourages people from filling prescriptions.

It applies to office visits as well. Yes, it is a way to discourage people from making an appointment every time they sneeze. $5 is a little low for an office visit. $25 is affordable, but enough to make you think about whether you just have a cold and don't need a doctor.

Xeo · Jan 6, 2006, 05:19 AM

Originally Posted by wallinbl

It applies to office visits as well. Yes, it is a way to discourage people from making an appointment every time they sneeze. $5 is a little low for an office visit. $25 is affordable, but enough to make you think about whether you just have a cold and don't need a doctor.

Yeah that's my point. $5 is so little it may as well not even exist.

Railroader · Jan 6, 2006, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Xeo

Yeah that's my point. $5 is so little it may as well not even exist.

Agreed.

I was amazed at the backlash when it was announced that the co-pay might jump 100%, all the way to $10. Shocked. I mean, how could they?!?! That's like 20 minutes worth of work. /SARCASM]

If I am sick, I am going to the doctor even if I have to pay for the entire cost. But then, I am not one to go for every little nick, cut, and head ache. Either something's about to fall off, or I am in so much pain I can't _________.

wallinbl · Jan 6, 2006, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Xeo

Yeah that's my point. $5 is so little it may as well not even exist.

That all depends on your economic situation. If you only make $20-30k/year, then you don't have a lot of cash to spare. If you're hourly, then you're going to lose wages while at the doctor.

The copay amount is really up to the employer. They negotiate it with the insurance company, and it affects how much they/you pay for the insurance. If you've got a $5 copay, then your employer saw fit to pay a little extra for the insurance.

wdlove · Jan 6, 2006, 12:57 PM

My wife had Dental Insurance temporarily. It was offered by employer. With the amount that she paid, it turned out not to be worth it.

turtle777 · Jan 6, 2006, 01:24 PM

Darn. I just checked my Dental that my Company offers. Isn't worth the money.
Gotta drop that next year.

-t

residentEvil · Jan 6, 2006, 04:36 PM

Work pays for mine, but i have some things I would have to pay for: all cosmetic work isn't covered (like whitening); 50% covered for extractions/root canals and hmm, can't think of the last one. But cleaning, xrays, fillings, etc is 100% covered. No office copay.

Railroader · Jan 6, 2006, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Work pays for mine, but i have some things I would have to pay for: all cosmetic work isn't covered (like whitening); 50% covered for extractions/root canals and hmm, can't think of the last one. But cleaning, xrays, fillings, etc is 100% covered. No office copay.

I think the only plan that covers cosmetic dental work is that which is offered to members of congres and the senate.

Seriously.

wdlove · Jan 7, 2006, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

Work pays for mine, but i have some things I would have to pay for: all cosmetic work isn't covered (like whitening); 50% covered for extractions/root canals and hmm, can't think of the last one. But cleaning, xrays, fillings, etc is 100% covered. No office copay.

You are very lucky.

DeathToWindows · Jan 7, 2006, 01:32 AM

I'm covered through Delta Dental...****ing cheap bastards.

JoshuaZ · Jan 7, 2006, 02:20 AM

Dental is so worth it, as I found out this past week. Paid around $400 for some work. Stupid Japanese insurance doesn't cover dental. Curse you Japan.

bostonblizz21 · Jan 30, 2006, 04:33 AM

dude try checking out http://www.dentalplans.com you can check 'em out online. goodluck!

Athens · Jan 30, 2006, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by bostonblizz21

dude try checking out http://www.dentalplans.com you can check 'em out online. goodluck!

****ing spammers get a life

Use this link http://www.dentalplans.com/

His is a hidden affiliate link /afftracker.asp?affid=15592

Big Mac · Jan 30, 2006, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

Dental is so worth it, as I found out this past week. Paid around $400 for some work. Stupid Japanese insurance doesn't cover dental. Curse you Japan.

That's an interesting remark. I would have thought Japanese dental care was good and inexpensive, similar to health care in the country. At least that's how the books portray Japanese health care - high quality yet cost effective. I was going to post a question about the price and performance of foreign dentistry anyway.