I don’t know how you feel but I think this year is just flying by. I guess I feel like that every year. Only three more months left in 2012. For those of you with dental insurance, only three more months to use your dental benefits before they disappear and go toward the bonuses for the insurance executives. That is kind of a joke and it is kind of not.
As you know, if you have dental insurance, you have a yearly maximum amount of money that can be used for dental care. Although that yearly maximum (typically $1000-1500 per year) has not changed for 40 years in most situations, if you don’t use… (Read More)
Is Your Insurance Expiring?
September 27, 2012
The Top Ten
July 13, 2012
This season is often the time there is an influx of new patients being seen in dental practices. Many of the new patients I have seen this spring are people who have not been to a dentist in five or more years. Here is a list of the top ten reasons these patients say they have stayed away from the dental office:
10. Fear of pain
9. Missing work time
8. Moved and haven’t “found” a new dentist
7. Have been out of work
6. My dentist retired
5. Can’t find an office I am comfortable in
4. I don’t like the dentist
3. Economy
2.… (Read More)
But I Don’t Have Insurance
June 26, 2012
Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the No. 1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. These are often the same people that pull into the office in a $40,000 car…..that they replace every 5-7 years. Here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a payment to cover the cost of a loss)… (Read More)
Dental Insurance Benefits Expiring
December 1, 2011
I don’t know how you feel but I think this year is just flying by. I guess I feel like that every year. Only one more month left in 2011. For those of you with dental insurance, only one more month to use your dental benefits before they disappear and go toward the bonuses for the insurance executives. That is kind of a joke and it is kind of not.
As you know, if you have dental insurance, you have a yearly maximum amount of money that can be used for dental care. Although that yearly maximum (typically $1000-1500 per year) has not changed for 40 years in most situations, if you don’t use… (Read More)
But I Have Dental Insurance
October 14, 2011
It should come as no surprise that the insurance industry is out to make a profit. It’s a business just like any other business. Any place an insurance company can cut costs or deny a claim is more of a profit to them and that is their goal. Unfortunately, this is not always in the best interest of the patient.
When my son was born 15 years ago he could not keep anything in his stomach. We went through a battery of tests to determine the problem. Not once did I think, “I wonder if the insurance is going to cover this?” When the diagnosis was made and it was determined that surgery was needed… (Read More)
Getting Ripped Off? – Part 3
May 29, 2011
For the last couple of weeks we have been discussing an online column that was forwarded to me called “Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off?” If you missed any of the columns, be sure to look them up online. This week I wanted to discuss more of the comments readers made after the column was published.
Many of the comments are rants from obviously angry people. As I read through the 9 pages of comments, it is obvious that people are mad about the cost of dentistry and things in general. It is also obvious that many of the contributors have a very negative opinion of the profession. This is a disturbing trend.
… (Read More)
Getting Ripped Off? – Part 2
May 22, 2011
Last week I told you about an online column that was forwarded to me called “Is Your Dentist Ripping You Off?” Basically, the author was questioning why there can be such a discrepancy in fees or treatment plans between dentists. The author also gave suggestions on how to pick a dentist and did note, “Don’t select a dentist on price alone.”
This week I wanted to discuss some of the comments that readers made after the column was published. It is interesting to note that there were people on both sides of the debate. The first comment came from a dental assistant. She says, “It is fair to comparison shop but remember that cost… (Read More)
But I Have Insurance
February 11, 2011
I had a reader e-mail me an insurance related question this past week and wanted answer that question as well as a couple of other insurance related issues.
Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the No. 1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. So, here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a… (Read More)
Do Just What My Insurance Covers
November 19, 2010
Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the No. 1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. So, here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a payment to cover the cost of a loss) at all. It is a monetary benefit, typically provided by an employer, to help their employees pay for routine… (Read More)