Question:
My situation is this. I need to have some bone graft, implant, plus
crown work done soon, over the next couple months. My employer has
this Guardian Dental plan that really s**cks and does not cover any
crowns or orthodontia from pre-existing conditions. The plan is like
a
PPO I think. Anyway the point is that I'm faced with having to pay
for implants, crowns, etc. full-price, that's pretty scary. Since you
guys seem like dental insurance experts, can you recommend any
secondary insurance that I can purchase, might cover the cost of
crowns
or maybe implants, and doesn't require an extremely long waiting
period?
I would prefer not to switch dentists, the oral surgeon that I use
seems to have top notch credits.
I seem to have found the following on-line:
- many dental plans, even some that claim to have discounts on
implants. But they have very limited networks of dentists, and won't
pay anything out of network.
- Delta Dental and other big ins co's do not offer PPO plans to
individuals
- some online plans that seem to require 12-24 month "waiting
periods"... what does this mean?? I can't wait 12 months.
Answer:
I don't know of ANY type of insurance company -- life insurance, fire,
health, etc. -- which would be willing to insure anyone who already
KNOWS that a claim is about to happen.
If a house is already on fire, what fire insurance company would be
willing to quickly write a policy when they would have to pay off the
next day? What life insurance company would knowingly write a policy
for a fellow on his deathbed, when it's obvious they will have to pay
up soon?
Insurance companies exist to make a profit. How could a dental
insurance company make a profit selling you a policy, if you plan to
charge them for claims that exceed the amount of money you paid for
the insurance? They aren't foolish enough to do it.
The best way to cover necessary dental expenses is the same as the
best way to buy a car or a house: finance it with a loan. Interest
rates are very low this year, so this is an ideal time to get a bank
loan. Your dental health can benefit greatly with a timely investment
in you own well-being.
The problem with OPM (using other people's money)
to pay for my stuff is eventually everyone finds
out and wants in on the program.
Well with dentistry, everyone is already in. There
are no more suckers left to pay for MY treatment
......... and no insurance companies who WILL PAY
for it.
Insurance companies are in business to MAKE money
so their collective premiums must exceed their
collective pay out. This brings up OPM.
Remember,
When your outgo exceeds your income, then your
upkeep will be your downfall.
In addition to the well worded response from Bill Combs, I would add that I
have NEVER seen a dental plan which covers the cost of implants.
Discount plans are notorious for "Bait-and-Switch", but there are decent
honest offices participating with some plans. I seriously doubt you would
find one to do implant dentistry at the advertised 40-50% discount. It
costs way too much to perform this service. Just the torque wrench to
tighten the screws we use on implants cost us $500. One little tiny screw
(which can only be torqued once) is about $40. The equipment to do the
surgical aspect of implants run into mega-bucks just to buy the stuff, then
factor in replacements, training, etc.
