homestarmy
Diamond Member
I just got home from the dentist. No cavities btw.
Anyhow, I have pockets near my two crowns in my gums. Let me also mention that one of the crowns were done unnecessarily, and in that scenario my insurance wouldn't cover it and I had to pay out of pocket.
Today I come and sit down in the hygenist's chair. The walls are covered with advertising (The US and New Zeland are the only two countries in the world that allow perscription drug advertising btw), and there is a small flipchart actually taped to part of the chair's support, basically staring me right in the face.
Turns out that is the exact treatment that she says that I need (an antibiotic that is placed between the tooth and the gums). It is $90 per tooth, and my insurance won't even cover it! What's worse is that I had to pry to find out any alternative treatments.
First, she said there was no alternative. Later, I caught her saying that it is the only treatment of its kind, so I asked her what they did before that. She says they used the same stuff, but in pill form. I told her I'd take it, as my other insurance would surely cover it (or I'd get it for $4 from WalMart). I figure if it were five years ago it would be good enough, why not now? She said that they wouldn't perscribe it. Therefore, I am being FORCED into an overpriced treatment. By denying the alternative treatment, in my opinon they are saying "If you're not going to take our treatment, your gums can rot for all I care."
I probed for information on how I would self-administer the drug. I will likely pick it up online or something of that sort. Otherwise, if it gets worse, the deep cleanings necessary will be covered by my insurance. Ironic, isn't it?
To top it off, at the end of my treatment, I have to swish this fluoride out of a huge pump bottle - the exact same stuff that I had to swish with when I was in KINDERGARDEN! Previously they gave me a gel in something that I had to bite down on. I assumed that this swish was covered (as I knew the other stuff wasn't and had denied it before) but it turns out that one little pump out of that bottle costed me $17! The lady at the front said that it would cost even more for others... wtf?
I think a good handful of this is unethical, don't you think? Shouldn't a patient have rights to an alternate form of treatment? They always seem to on the medical shows (I'm a big fan of House MD myself).
Cliffs:
1. No cavities, but pockets near crowns (one of which was unnecessary in the first place).
2. Walls covered with ads, and one actually taped to a portion of the chair staring me in the face.
3. That exact treatment I am perscribed, at $90 x 2 plus another $40 charge.
4. I pry info on alternative treatment that was standard until 5 years ago - antibiotic in pill form (cheap).
5. She refuses to give perscription for other item.
6. I pryed for info, will likely get it and self medicate, or wait till it gets worse - insurance covers that.
7. Had to pay $17 for a swig of the same swish that I took in Kindergarden.
Anyhow, I have pockets near my two crowns in my gums. Let me also mention that one of the crowns were done unnecessarily, and in that scenario my insurance wouldn't cover it and I had to pay out of pocket.
Today I come and sit down in the hygenist's chair. The walls are covered with advertising (The US and New Zeland are the only two countries in the world that allow perscription drug advertising btw), and there is a small flipchart actually taped to part of the chair's support, basically staring me right in the face.
Turns out that is the exact treatment that she says that I need (an antibiotic that is placed between the tooth and the gums). It is $90 per tooth, and my insurance won't even cover it! What's worse is that I had to pry to find out any alternative treatments.
First, she said there was no alternative. Later, I caught her saying that it is the only treatment of its kind, so I asked her what they did before that. She says they used the same stuff, but in pill form. I told her I'd take it, as my other insurance would surely cover it (or I'd get it for $4 from WalMart). I figure if it were five years ago it would be good enough, why not now? She said that they wouldn't perscribe it. Therefore, I am being FORCED into an overpriced treatment. By denying the alternative treatment, in my opinon they are saying "If you're not going to take our treatment, your gums can rot for all I care."
I probed for information on how I would self-administer the drug. I will likely pick it up online or something of that sort. Otherwise, if it gets worse, the deep cleanings necessary will be covered by my insurance. Ironic, isn't it?
To top it off, at the end of my treatment, I have to swish this fluoride out of a huge pump bottle - the exact same stuff that I had to swish with when I was in KINDERGARDEN! Previously they gave me a gel in something that I had to bite down on. I assumed that this swish was covered (as I knew the other stuff wasn't and had denied it before) but it turns out that one little pump out of that bottle costed me $17! The lady at the front said that it would cost even more for others... wtf?
I think a good handful of this is unethical, don't you think? Shouldn't a patient have rights to an alternate form of treatment? They always seem to on the medical shows (I'm a big fan of House MD myself).
Cliffs:
1. No cavities, but pockets near crowns (one of which was unnecessary in the first place).
2. Walls covered with ads, and one actually taped to a portion of the chair staring me in the face.
3. That exact treatment I am perscribed, at $90 x 2 plus another $40 charge.
4. I pry info on alternative treatment that was standard until 5 years ago - antibiotic in pill form (cheap).
5. She refuses to give perscription for other item.
6. I pryed for info, will likely get it and self medicate, or wait till it gets worse - insurance covers that.
7. Had to pay $17 for a swig of the same swish that I took in Kindergarden.
