Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Maxheader

(4,372 posts)
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:33 PM Jan 2019

Medicare for dentists...

Had a root canal done yesterday...1300$ just for that...
Now I will have to pay another 1200$ for the crown..

Made the comment to the front desk personnel that dentists
need to accept medicare for their clients....

They were not amused..

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Medicare for dentists... (Original Post) Maxheader Jan 2019 OP
A friend of mine needs implants. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #1
Another member of a caravan pandr32 Jan 2019 #3
One part of the reason that the US healthcare system is ranked 37. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #4
How many implants is he getting? hedda_foil Jan 2019 #8
20. eom guillaumeb Jan 2019 #12
Good grief! hedda_foil Jan 2019 #13
Agreed. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #14
Dental Health is an Important Part of Overall Health dlk Jan 2019 #2
I don't understand how dentists got left out of Medicare tikka Jan 2019 #7
My 80 year old father JenniferJuniper Jan 2019 #5
I found Spirit Dental Desert grandma Jan 2019 #6
How much is the premium? hedda_foil Jan 2019 #9
The premium depends on where you live and which plan you choose. Desert grandma Jan 2019 #10
Thanks! 😳 hedda_foil Jan 2019 #11
I had a root canal done six months ago and paid the same amount. llmart Jan 2019 #15
Medicare does cover my vision care.... Maxheader Jan 2019 #16
I don't think it covers a regular eye exam or prescription glasses. llmart Jan 2019 #17

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
1. A friend of mine needs implants.
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:35 PM
Jan 2019

The cost in the US, in Indiana, is $11,000.

The cost in Juarez, for work done by a US trained Dentist is $3,500.

So he will go back to Juarez.

pandr32

(11,578 posts)
3. Another member of a caravan
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:44 PM
Jan 2019

...heading to Mexico from the U.S. in order to get help. 6000 people a day cross by car near Yuma to get affordable dental work and health care in Mexico. That is just one of many crossings where American caravans cross daily for help

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
4. One part of the reason that the US healthcare system is ranked 37.
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:48 PM
Jan 2019

But ranked #1 in war spending.

Priorities.

dlk

(11,549 posts)
2. Dental Health is an Important Part of Overall Health
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:39 PM
Jan 2019

It’s shockingly ignorant and backward not to include basic dental coverage in Medicare

tikka

(762 posts)
7. I don't understand how dentists got left out of Medicare
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 09:35 PM
Jan 2019

I was too young and not very political when Medicare was past. Does anyone remember what happened with dental care when the bill was written?

JenniferJuniper

(4,510 posts)
5. My 80 year old father
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:54 PM
Jan 2019

Opted not to have a broken tooth removed due to the cost. Didn't tell anyone about it. Two months later he was in intensive care with a severe infection. His head was the size of a basketball. He spent 10 days in the hospital and then had to go back for another week due to antibiotic complications.

Penny wise.

Desert grandma

(804 posts)
6. I found Spirit Dental
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 09:04 PM
Jan 2019

They offer an individual plan that has a huge network. They use the Ameritus network which many dentists accept. The first year it is a 25% benefit, and the second year it is 50 percent benefit. The awesome thing about this plan is that no matter when you join, January of the next year is year 2, which is when the higher benefit applies. It also covers implants as long as the tooth you are replacing is not extracted until the plan is in effect. I purchased the $3500 maximum plan and joined in November, so am now in year 2. Love that all the really good dentists in my area are in network with this plan. It is a great addition to Medicare.

Desert grandma

(804 posts)
10. The premium depends on where you live and which plan you choose.
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 10:19 PM
Jan 2019

I have a network plan with a $3500 maximum. I pay $44 monthly. The network plan with $1200 maximum is around $26 monthly. They have no waiting periods and cover root canals, crowns and implants as long as you are not replacing a missing tooth. You can get a quote at www.spiritdental.com.

llmart

(15,536 posts)
15. I had a root canal done six months ago and paid the same amount.
Mon Jan 28, 2019, 05:20 PM
Jan 2019

I, too, think Medicare should cover it. I also think it should cover vision care.

Maxheader

(4,372 posts)
16. Medicare does cover my vision care....
Mon Jan 28, 2019, 07:39 PM
Jan 2019

A DDS told me medicare doesn't cover enough...for dentistry work..

llmart

(15,536 posts)
17. I don't think it covers a regular eye exam or prescription glasses.
Mon Jan 28, 2019, 09:34 PM
Jan 2019

It does however cover diseases of the eye.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Social Security & Medicare»Medicare for dentists...