It all started about three weeks ago.
Severe pain in the mouth, in two places -
Lasted all weekend! Anbesol & Alcohol did Not Help!
Monday morning, saw Dr. Duckett, DDS.
Cursory Exam, and Two X-Rays -
Out $100 Buckeroos! Two Abcessed Teeth!
No Dental Coverage -
Just MEDICARE ... No Dental!
Two Rx’s - for Anti-Biotic & Pain Killer.
Returned on Friday The 13th for One Extraction -
Done by Dr. Nichols.
Out Another Buck! ($100.)
Scheduled for another ‘Yank’
In two weeks, on the 27th.
When Dr. Nichols came in,
I asked to review the X-Rays First.
Explained to him about the Lump
On left side of my jaw, by gland.
If it was infection from Abcess,
Should have cleared up - he agreed.
He then did thorough exam,
Entire mouth, all teeth and gums -
No Extraction - we’ll do a Panorex -
Panoramic X-ray of entire mouth and jaw!
This set me back Another
Buck and a Quarter!
He reviews it with me -
No evidence of any ‘Problem!’
Refers me to Dr. Michael Schwartz,
Oral Surgeon, out in Hunt Valley -
Dental Assistant explains how ‘Great’ he is -
‘They’ all have been to him!
Called today, to set appointment,
Was told by Erin that ‘they’ do Not accept Any Insurance!
Must pay $125. Up Front! But, it IS a Medical Exam,
So insurance MIGHT reimburse direct!
When I told her I was 70, and had MEDICARE -
She said: they “OPTED OUT!”
Therefore, Medicare would NOT cover Any of his service!
I could not even submit a Claim!
I naturally complained -
She put me on Hold for almost 10 Minutes -
Office Manager, Sheryl, Confirmed Erin’s statements.
By now, I was Furious!
Told her that, obviously Dr. Schwartz
Did not CARE about OLD PEOPLE!
Tell him that, as a Writer,
I will post entire True Story, so -
People around Baltimore can be Forewarned!
And - I hope he Enjoys his Nice, Big House
In Dulaney Valley! (where some of the RICH live)!
Thus far $325 Cost - only 1 tooth Extracted!
Have 3 more Bad Molars to GO yet!
Can’t afford to BLOW my Life’s Savings
On Greedy Dentists!
Dental School - Here I Come!
Do any of them even Offer to ‘work’ with you?
To allow partial payments?
A BIG ‘HELL NO!’
‘Gim’me ... Or Else!’
Why is it that Dentists, Doctors, and Other
So-called health-CARE ‘Professionals’
Only CARE about one thing ...
Your Money ... Up Front n’ Personal!
Their ‘Hippocratic Oath’
Is a ‘SICK’ Joke!
Perhaps it should be more aptly called -
‘Hypocritical Oath’?
Reminds me of what Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“Oh, Ye Hypocrites in Whitened Sepulchers!”
Sounds about right, doesn’t it?
Most of ‘them’ do wear White Smocks!
‘The Rich get Richer,
And the Poor get Poorer,
In the Meantime, in between Time -
Ain’t we got Fun?”
Anyways - That’s My Story -
And I’m Stickin’ to It!
Couldn't agree more, even from Canada. As my history teacher used to say (happily dead now) "when the US sneezes, Canada catches cold" so what we have here is a speeding up drop out of gov't health care, more "outsourced" services and longer waits for gov't insurance covered procedures.
In the same boat.....Got a bunch of molars going kaput....need dental work, extractions, dentures....Only got medicare....Live Social Securioty check to check...No mon....no fun...too bad...so dad...DEAL WITH IT!!!! Or so I'm told....
Think it ought to be required of any person wanting to enter the medical field: spend two weeks, minimum, as a patient in the hospital. Being awakened at all hours of the day and night for procedures and meds. Being told that said procedures don't hurt. AND being billed ridiculous amounts. GRRRRRRRRRRR
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(
Until I wound up on the other side of the charts, I had no idea.
No medical/dental insurance here either and just went to the DDS today and got a cavity fixed, though he said if this does not do it, I may have to have root canal or just have it extracted...my bottom teeth are looooooooooong rooted so I have to go to an oral surgeon to be put to sleep...that costs over 500 bbbbbbbucks & the root canal could cost just about the same or more...I don't make enough to live let alone fix the teeth, what do I do, I know not...ed
What a truly sad country we have become,
Money, Money, Money to get anything done.
And you are not alone, most of us now have medical and dental horror stories. Why? Because most doctors and dentists are part of the Elite, who are against any true Healthcare Reform so they can continue to make gobs and gobs, of money.
I purchased a very expensive dental insurance plan for my wife and I, which I pay dearly for. When I needed some dental work, I called numerous dentists, and the vast majority of them nonchalantly said: "Oh, we don't accept that dental plan." Why? Because it pays them about half of what they demand to be paid. They want $150 for a procedure my insurance pays them $75 for.
I've finally found a non-greedy dentist, who happily accepts whatever my insurance pays, who does excellent work, and who has not asked me for a dime out of my own pocket - and he's extremely busy because he accepts most of the dental insurance plans, and what they will pay him.
Like anything else these days, we are forced to shop around, or pay through the nose. Most 'Healthcare Professionals' know the majority of people will just pay, so they keep on keepin on, gettin richer by the day.
Even in the real world most dental plans knock off reimbursements at about $1,500 bucks after deductibles. I gave it up. The premiums prepaid for checkups and a filling or two but you had to arm wrestle for it. I got tired of fighting for my own money. Patrick
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. >:(
NOT angry with you; just angry about what happened to you. Happening too much nowadays, especially since his "presidency", Obummer, got in! He does NOT care about U.S.! >:(
Boy do I understand your plight and I am so sorry, but this is a direct result of the passage of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Try taking your time and read through the over two thousand pages and you will very quickly begin to understand. Here is Texas NO, and I mean NO doctor or dentist will see Medicare or Medicaid patients that are new. They will continue with the ones they already have, but put signs in the window "NO NEW MEDICARE/MEDICAID PATIENTS".
You need to read the bill, it is a real "eye opener"! I have been writing about it for the past 1 1/2 years to help others understand what is in it. I really am sorry you are going through this.
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Liked your latest which Regis sent me.
So, hey, you see, I am real, hah! Sha'Tara
Chip Bergeron
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(
Until I wound up on the other side of the charts, I had no idea.
What a truly sad country we have become,
Money, Money, Money to get anything done.
And you are not alone, most of us now have medical and dental horror stories. Why? Because most doctors and dentists are part of the Elite, who are against any true Healthcare Reform so they can continue to make gobs and gobs, of money.
I purchased a very expensive dental insurance plan for my wife and I, which I pay dearly for. When I needed some dental work, I called numerous dentists, and the vast majority of them nonchalantly said: "Oh, we don't accept that dental plan." Why? Because it pays them about half of what they demand to be paid. They want $150 for a procedure my insurance pays them $75 for.
I've finally found a non-greedy dentist, who happily accepts whatever my insurance pays, who does excellent work, and who has not asked me for a dime out of my own pocket - and he's extremely busy because he accepts most of the dental insurance plans, and what they will pay him.
Like anything else these days, we are forced to shop around, or pay through the nose. Most 'Healthcare Professionals' know the majority of people will just pay, so they keep on keepin on, gettin richer by the day.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Texas, Karen Lynn. >:(
NOT angry with you; just angry about what happened to you. Happening too much nowadays, especially since his "presidency", Obummer, got in! He does NOT care about U.S.! >:(
You need to read the bill, it is a real "eye opener"! I have been writing about it for the past 1 1/2 years to help others understand what is in it. I really am sorry you are going through this.
Be always safe,
Karen