Chester P. Dexter Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Better than the $1,020.00 it was projected to be. Different tooth = different price for emergency root canal.Good reason to keep some credit available, my friends: the weekend toothache that turns immediately into an afternoon appointment for a root canal.I was tearing my hair out wondering how I could come up with that cash on the spot. Then the receptionist pleasantly mentioned that they take all major credit cards.See, here's the thing: If you have ANY crap-azz dental insurance, even one that won't pay, they'll bill it, and then bill you, and you can pay and pay forever, or in some cases people don't pay... but if you don't have insurance, it's payment on the spot or tough luck for your tooth, kiss it goodbye. No payment, no service.Our insurance (if you call it that) is more like we submit the paid bill and the employers reimburses. Which leaves me right back where I was: How to come up with the cash on the spot. I was very glad to have that available credit, and that's one reason I like to build up credit. For emergencies.We'll get reimbursed almost immediately but without the ability to pay, I'd be out a tooth right now, I guess! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewscott Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 I'm glad it all worked out. It sounds like a good reason to have good credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dre Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 That sucks, but I'm glad everything worked out. I hear ya about paying and keep paying. With my insurance company: Estimate the bill, I pay, then whatever the estimation was (correct or incorrect), I have to pay.So sometimes it's a surprise in the mail for some outstanding balance I have to pay :\.Hence, why I hate going to the doc. or dentist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crzy2 Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 Yes, it's good that everything worked out for you.I used to have dental insurance. Once upon a time when I was working. (Retired 3-1/2 years ago). Now that I am retired, I can't afford the insurance. And now with the current financial mess, can't afford the dental visits either. Never knew how much these dental costs were before or at least didn't pay much attention to them because the basics were completely covered. Boy were we spoiled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jq26 Posted January 5, 2009 Report Share Posted January 5, 2009 I hope it all works out for you. Root canals are brutal. I had no insurance a few years back and called my dentist because of what looked like a lesion (I chewed tobacco for a few years when I played collegiate rugby). Long story short, the tooth was pulled the same day and I needed an implant- the latent result of a middle school football collision. $3400 bill and my dentist does not take credit cards. Fortunately I had $1400 to pay cash immediately and then paid him $100/month for the next 20 months. These things creep up unexpectedly. Living paycheck to paycheck with no reserves is dangerous. I've known my dentist since I was 8 years old so he worked with me. I don't think he would have let me make payments if that wasn't the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isislc Posted January 7, 2009 Report Share Posted January 7, 2009 Ohhh!!! I hear ya on that root canal! I have to go in to get one done next week Monday and they let me know that my portion of the copay was $260. Although I put aside some money for my medical reimbursement account, I'm still paying the damn thing. At least I don't have to pay anything for the crown they're putting in afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewscott Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Although I put aside some money for my medical reimbursement account, I'm still paying the damn thing.Why? Why not let the reimbursement account pay for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isislc Posted January 8, 2009 Report Share Posted January 8, 2009 Why? Why not let the reimbursement account pay for it?Either way I'm paying for it because I put the money into the reimbursement account to begin with. So yeah it's pretax but I'm still paying for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewscott Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Either way I'm paying for it because I put the money into the reimbursement account to begin with. So yeah it's pretax but I'm still paying for it. Right. But since that is already money set aside why not use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isislc Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Trust me Honey, I use it up every year! With kids, you have no choice. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewscott Posted January 10, 2009 Report Share Posted January 10, 2009 Trust me Honey, I use it up every year! With kids, you have no choice. lol Now it makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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