| Subject: Re: Insurance question |
Author:
Tim (Seattle)
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Date Posted: 11:20:12 08/07/04 Sat
In reply to:
RichardM
's message, "Insurance question" on 08:00:31 08/07/04 Sat
Congrats on getting braces, Richard! You are joining an elite group here at the forum--those of us in the 50+ age group who are in braces! \O/ \O/ \O/ I am 55 and am in braces for the 2nd--count 'em--time, having had braces originally as a teen.
Regarding the insurance I can't believe that they will not give you the option of paying the extra for ceramics out-of-pocket, after they have paid their basic dollar amount for insurance coverage. My plan pays $1000, period, and doesn't care what braces I have/don't have. I have ceramic on top (a good choice for me) and metal on the bottom, but thankfully my ortho did not charge extra for clear braces.
Personally, I would try to postpone your braces until AFTER the conference. I am a part-time teacher and waited until I finished for the school year to get braces on (another good choice). I have an expander appliance in my upper mouth which makes speaking a challenge. I begin school again in the fall, which should allow sufficient time to adjust to all the changes.
And I hate to break the bad news to you, but in many cases, you are 3rd as far as your insurance and ortho are concerned! In my experience the insurance companies dictate what happens whenever they have a financial stake in covering the treatment.
>I am, and I still don't believe it, getting braces on
>the 26th of this month. I will be getting metal
>brackets since that is what my ortho/insurance company
>says is covered under my plan. They will not let me
>pay extra for ceramic because the ortho says he has
>had problems in the past with my insurance company,
>yet he is the only one in the area that my insurance
>covers. I am getting more frustrated as the time
>approaches since the needs of the ortho and insurance
>company seem to come first and my preferences trail a
>distant third. I am 50 and having enough of a problem
>dealing with this without the insurance company
>treating me like a 12 year old getting braces. I was
>told that "cosmetic" appliances or work is not
>covered, so if I get treatment it will be with the
>standard metal appliances. If I do accept their
>approved treastment plan, than I can seek and pay for
>my preferred appliances myself. I am not doing this
>for cosmetic reasons, in fact the teeth look
>acceptable, but the jaws are out of whack and causing
>long term problems. I just wish there was a less
>obvious way to do it without all the metal.
>
>Also, how uncomfortable is it sleeping in a headgear
>appliance? I told him flat out I would not be seen in
>it (I have my limits) and he accepts that, but I did
>not like his 'it will just take longer' line at all.
>
>One final ugly twist, I have to go to a conference for
>a week three days after all the junk goes on. I just
>want it all to be over, and I don't even have the
>spacers yet.
>
>Well that is my rant for the day, thanks for listening.
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