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I thought the advantages of getting a Medicare Advantage policy would finally allow me to at long last be able to afford dental care which is much needed in my later years of life over traditional Medicare policies, plus the fact I had Medicaid which had always picked up the tab for the rest of my medical expenses. Well lo and behold these policies are not what you think they are.

In dealing with Medicare Advantage policies that cover dental care more and more dentists are no allowing such coverage even though your handbook state they do.

The same even applies to Medicaid.  I was shocked at a dental office that only accepted Medicaid and did not accept Medicare or Medicare Advantage patients and yet turned me down.  The reason I went was I had a problem tooth and my regular doctor looked at it and said it was rotten, something I have never experience with my other problem teeth.  She further stated I needed to have it removed quickly because it could result in the necessity of have a root canal procedure being performed.  I did not want to go through such an ordeal and ended up in this dentist's office.

And this is not the end of the story.  The dentist proceeded to tell me the tooth had to be removed ASAP or it would lead to an infection that could travel to my eyes and brain and eventfully to my death.  I was in a state of shock.  Now I had to pay about $130.00 for the exam and then now pay an additional some $375.00 extra to have the tooth extracted

On top of that I could have had the procedure done at a much closer dentist who quoted the same price and his office was only three miles from my home where this other dentist's office was about 15 miles away

In addition the dentist said he could do an implant and provide dentures to replace some of the extracted teeth which will probably run in the thousands of dollars.  There is no way I can afford to pay for all of this.

When I got home, I called my Social Service worker who handles my Medicaid coverage and she said I made too much income for Medicaid to cover dental expenses and that I only had coverage for medical expenses.  In order to qualify for dental benefits I would have to have a monthly income of less than about $802.00 monthly.  I now have a monthly income of at least #1,020 Social Security plus about $375.00 in savings and another checking account.

It is truly a shame such discrepancies exist in the systems designed to help people pay for all medical care.  It is also a disgrace that Medicare will not pay for dental, eye and hearing costs.  People don't realize that untreated dental problems can lead to other medical problems which could result in death and other illnesses.  Not only this but in prescription drug coverage why must have that so called do nut hole inserted in our coverage; it make no sense at all to have such a situation which makes such so called affordable coverage impossible.

Clearly our health coverage system has too many flaws in it that desperately need to be fixed and fixed NOW!

People please be aware of what your plans cover.  If you seek a new doctor or dentist call them before you make an appointment and see if they approve of your plan and it is in their system.  Do the same with Medicaid. There is much deceptive advertising out there.  In the medical profession "all that glitters is not gold".

My entire Medicare experience has been a nightmare. The Cobra coverage at the company I eas laid off from in May was less expensive than my Medicare coverage I went on instead. Luckily I didn't get on Cobra before I went on Medicare because if you do, Cobra is not considered "creditable" coverage and if you try to transition from Cobra into Medicare, you are penalized 12% per year on your medicare premium FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE! I have no freakin' idea how feeble old people navigate that minefield. I am healthy, energetic, good mental faculties and college educated. Medicare during the Covid Overreaction Fiasco is not for sissies! If you are not of Medicare age, GIRD YOUR LOINS!

I am preparing for my eventual old fartness by socking money away in a HSA.  Got some invested in mutual funds.

The liberals talk about Medicare for ALL. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

You young people keep your butts healthy! I have one Type II diabetes pill that costs me $350 per month. I never knew it was a Rolls Royce medication while on Blue Cross. I am reminded every 30 days when I fill it with my Medicare Part D.

My wife gets a non-prescription insulin injectable (Novolin) from Walmart for under $50.00 for a month's supply. However, she has to carefully monitor her sugar levels when using it. If you get a prescription some pharmacies will charge $200.00 for the exact same thing. She was getting her diabetic medication free, but when she got on Medicare, the cost for that medication went up to over $800.00 a month. We had to do something.

I have found Medicare to be a huge rip off. When I was laid off, my Cobra insurance was cheaper than my Medicare premium with the income penalty applied. Also one of my Diabetes Meds cost me $350 per month and it used to cost like $50 under Blue cross at work. I have no idea how older and feebler people navigate this crap.

People advocating Medicare for all have no idea what they are asking for.

I didn't know that about Cobra and Medicare, Jaime. Thanks for the heads up.


Editorialist, I think there are a lot of shady dentists out there. We're lucky if we find one who tells us the truth and works with us on our specific needs. Within the last 4 years, I've had four different relatives go for 2nd opinions after being told they needed very extensive and very expensive dental work - only to be told by the new dentist they didn't need such extensive work. Don't even get me started on root canals. Root canals are kind of like c-section births - overused, and a way for the doc to make much more money.

Mommydi, that's not the half of it. Thank the Lord I did not get on Cobra and THEN TRY TO GET ON medicare. I found out just in time that Cobra is not  "creditable" coverage to transition to Medicare on. And as a result if you do, you get a 12% penalty per year for the rest of your life. Another Medicare surprise for the uninformed. Medicare is the single most complicated endeavor I have seen, ESPECIALLY during the freakin' Covid overreaction where no one is available for in person assistance. Prepare yourself (gird yoir loins) for your screwin' if you are about to retire.

Quote from: Jaime on Sat Oct 31, 2020 - 15:47:31
Mommydi, that's not the half of it. Thank the Lord I did not get on Cobra and THEN TRY TO GET ON medicare. I found out just in time that Cobra is not  "creditable" coverage to transition to Medicare on. And as a result if you do, you get a 12% penalty per year for thebrest of your life. Another Medicare surprise for the uninformed. Medicare is the single most complicated endeavor I have seen, ESPECIALLY during the freakin' Covid overreaction where no one is available for in person assistance. Prepare yourself for your screwin' if you are about to retire.

I'm 61, so I don't have much time left to figure it out and do it right - as right as I can, at least.

Just pray that someone in the federal government eventually goes back to work. And enjoy your NON-Medicare healthcare while you still can.

Quote from: Jaime on Sat Oct 31, 2020 - 16:00:43
Just pray that someone in the federal government eventually goes back to work. And enjoy your NON-Medicare healthcare while you still can.

I'm afraid the days of me being able to afford healthcare ended with Obamacare.  Nowadays I pay $50 annually for a prescription-discount-club and that's as close as I get to health insurance.