• dental insurance suggestion

    From Frank <"frank@21:1/5 to All on Wed Jul 14 12:12:22 2021
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice
    of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that basically
    only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my dentist. Mentioned
    here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a new partial. Work on
    teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he will
    take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was about
    all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.

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  • From Steven Bornfeld@21:1/5 to Frank on Wed Jul 14 15:21:48 2021
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance.  Only had choice
    of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that basically
    only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my dentist.  Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a new partial.  Work on
    teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from.  Dentist says he will
    take any plan so am looking for suggestions.  That appliance was about
    all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With
    a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage
    will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans
    generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is
    if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when
    you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is
    almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then
    look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the
    benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most
    plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually
    50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get, compared to your premium.

    Steve

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  • From Frank <"frank@21:1/5 to Steven Bornfeld on Thu Jul 15 08:58:40 2021
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance.  Only had choice
    of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist.  Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a
    new partial.  Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from.  Dentist says he
    will take any plan so am looking for suggestions.  That appliance was
    about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense.  An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums.  With
    a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage
    will never even go to the dentist.  People who buy individual plans generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is
    if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced.  But when
    you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is
    almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then
    look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year.  Then look at the benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need.  Most
    plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually
    50%) than they cover other services.  See how much benefit you will get, compared to your premium.

    Steve

    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy
    it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge
    less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking
    of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as
    what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I
    am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million
    dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From tinas49ers@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Frank on Sun Nov 21 20:59:32 2021
    On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:58:50 AM UTC-7, Frank wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice
    of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist. Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a
    new partial. Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he
    will take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was
    about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With
    a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage
    will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then
    look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually
    50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get, compared to your premium.

    Steve
    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy
    it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge
    less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking
    of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as
    what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I
    am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank
    I run a dental office and what I tell people looking to buy private insurance is, take the money you would spend to have the plan and put it in a savings account. IF you need it, its there, if you don't, you still have your money. The other part of a
    private plan is they always have waiting periods, sometimes up to 12 months, because they dont want you to get everything done and then drop the plan. I would never suggest a private plan.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Frank <"frank@21:1/5 to All on Tue Nov 23 12:30:08 2021
    On 11/21/2021 11:59 PM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:58:50 AM UTC-7, Frank wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice >>>> of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist. Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a
    new partial. Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he
    will take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was
    about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With >>> a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage
    will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans
    generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is >>> if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when >>> you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is
    almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then
    look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the
    benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most
    plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually
    50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get, >>> compared to your premium.

    Steve
    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy
    it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge
    less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking
    of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as
    what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I
    am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million
    dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank
    I run a dental office and what I tell people looking to buy private insurance is, take the money you would spend to have the plan and put it in a savings account. IF you need it, its there, if you don't, you still have your money. The other part of a
    private plan is they always have waiting periods, sometimes up to 12 months, because they dont want you to get everything done and then drop the plan. I would never suggest a private plan.


    Thanks. I was in a quandary but decided to just continue with current
    plan. It does completely cover the two cleanings and one xray I get
    every year and with dental costs around here I believe these costs would
    exceed cost of insurance. I also recently had a cavity filled and found
    it does cover about half the cost. I know other coverage is zilch and I
    can afford whatever else I might need.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From tinas49ers@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Frank on Sun Nov 28 08:11:16 2021
    On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 9:30:16 AM UTC-8, Frank wrote:
    On 11/21/2021 11:59 PM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:58:50 AM UTC-7, Frank wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice >>>> of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist. Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a
    new partial. Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he
    will take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was >>>> about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With >>> a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage
    will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans
    generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is >>> if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when >>> you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is >>> almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then
    look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the >>> benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most >>> plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually >>> 50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get, >>> compared to your premium.

    Steve
    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy
    it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge
    less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking
    of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as
    what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I
    am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million
    dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank
    I run a dental office and what I tell people looking to buy private insurance is, take the money you would spend to have the plan and put it in a savings account. IF you need it, its there, if you don't, you still have your money. The other part of a
    private plan is they always have waiting periods, sometimes up to 12 months, because they dont want you to get everything done and then drop the plan. I would never suggest a private plan.

    Thanks. I was in a quandary but decided to just continue with current
    plan. It does completely cover the two cleanings and one xray I get
    every year and with dental costs around here I believe these costs would exceed cost of insurance. I also recently had a cavity filled and found
    it does cover about half the cost. I know other coverage is zilch and I
    can afford whatever else I might need.

    Can I ask what you pay per month?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Frank <"frank@21:1/5 to All on Sun Nov 28 19:06:40 2021
    On 11/28/2021 11:11 AM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 9:30:16 AM UTC-8, Frank wrote:
    On 11/21/2021 11:59 PM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:58:50 AM UTC-7, Frank wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice >>>>>> of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist. Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a >>>>>> new partial. Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he
    will take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was >>>>>> about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect.


    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance
    company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With >>>>> a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage >>>>> will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans
    generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is >>>>> if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when >>>>> you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is >>>>> almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then >>>>> look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the >>>>> benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most >>>>> plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually >>>>> 50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get, >>>>> compared to your premium.

    Steve
    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy
    it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge >>>> less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking >>>> of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as >>>> what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I >>>> am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million >>>> dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank
    I run a dental office and what I tell people looking to buy private insurance is, take the money you would spend to have the plan and put it in a savings account. IF you need it, its there, if you don't, you still have your money. The other part of a
    private plan is they always have waiting periods, sometimes up to 12 months, because they dont want you to get everything done and then drop the plan. I would never suggest a private plan.

    Thanks. I was in a quandary but decided to just continue with current
    plan. It does completely cover the two cleanings and one xray I get
    every year and with dental costs around here I believe these costs would
    exceed cost of insurance. I also recently had a cavity filled and found
    it does cover about half the cost. I know other coverage is zilch and I
    can afford whatever else I might need.

    Can I ask what you pay per month?

    I believe it is about $23. Former employer had been subsidizing
    $200.yr. Company had just been supplying the insurance but switched
    several years ago to annual subsidy with us have to purchase insurance
    through their assigned agency. I quit my old dentist at the time when
    he said he required a 20% copay for six month cleanings and xrays.
    Between wife and I we saved a couple of hundred dollars with the new
    dentist that does not require copay.

    I know a lot of people go without dental insurance as unlike health
    insurance a big bill will not bankrupt you.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From tinas49ers@gmail.com@21:1/5 to Frank on Fri Jan 21 17:47:21 2022
    On Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 4:06:43 PM UTC-8, Frank wrote:
    On 11/28/2021 11:11 AM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 9:30:16 AM UTC-8, Frank wrote:
    On 11/21/2021 11:59 PM, Tin@ wrote:
    On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 5:58:50 AM UTC-7, Frank wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 3:21 PM, Steven Bornfeld wrote:
    On 7/14/2021 12:12 PM, Frank wrote:
    Former employer dropped subsidy for dental insurance. Only had choice >>>>>> of two policies and took one with Humana for $20 a month that
    basically only paid for twice a year cleanings and xrays at my
    dentist. Mentioned here it was a shock to have to pay $2,000 for a >>>>>> new partial. Work on teeth was not needed, just broke old one.

    Next year, I see numerous policies to chose from. Dentist says he >>>>>> will take any plan so am looking for suggestions. That appliance was >>>>>> about all I needed in over 5 years but never know what to expect. >>>>>

    Self-purchased dental plans almost never make sense. An insurance >>>>> company is not going to pay out more than it takes in in premiums. With
    a large group, the insurance company knows that a certain percentage >>>>> will never even go to the dentist. People who buy individual plans >>>>> generally know they have significant dental needs. The only advantage is
    if a dentist participates in the plan, the fee may be reduced. But when
    you look at the yearly maximum benefits, deductibles and copays, it is >>>>> almost impossible to get over on an insurance company.
    Look at your average yearly dental expenses over several years; then >>>>> look at the premium dollars you will pay for a year. Then look at the >>>>> benefit for (for example) that partial denture you say you need. Most >>>>> plans cover prosthetic devices like dentures at a lower rate (usually >>>>> 50%) than they cover other services. See how much benefit you will get,
    compared to your premium.

    Steve
    Thanks, Steve, and I know that about any insurance. Including subsidy >>>> it was costing about $240 a year and I doubt that dentist would charge >>>> less than this for two cleanings and xrays in a year. So I am thinking >>>> of getting a similar policy and seeing some that seem as low a cost as >>>> what i had and partially cover additional work. I think that is what I >>>> am looking for.

    Unlike medical insurance I could afford any dental work. Last year
    without medicare and supplemental it might have cost me half a million >>>> dollars which could never happen with dental.

    Frank
    I run a dental office and what I tell people looking to buy private insurance is, take the money you would spend to have the plan and put it in a savings account. IF you need it, its there, if you don't, you still have your money. The other part of
    a private plan is they always have waiting periods, sometimes up to 12 months, because they dont want you to get everything done and then drop the plan. I would never suggest a private plan.

    Thanks. I was in a quandary but decided to just continue with current
    plan. It does completely cover the two cleanings and one xray I get
    every year and with dental costs around here I believe these costs would >> exceed cost of insurance. I also recently had a cavity filled and found >> it does cover about half the cost. I know other coverage is zilch and I >> can afford whatever else I might need.

    Can I ask what you pay per month?

    I believe it is about $23. Former employer had been subsidizing
    $200.yr. Company had just been supplying the insurance but switched
    several years ago to annual subsidy with us have to purchase insurance through their assigned agency. I quit my old dentist at the time when
    he said he required a 20% copay for six month cleanings and xrays.
    Between wife and I we saved a couple of hundred dollars with the new
    dentist that does not require copay.

    I know a lot of people go without dental insurance as unlike health insurance a big bill will not bankrupt you.

    Not taking co-pays is illegal.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)