Insurance Problems??

Question

I just broke a piece of my tooth...it hurts BAD...my problem is, my dentist is no longer accepting my Insurance after Aug 31st, and has no appointments until after then anyway. The new dentist that my ins company changed me over to will not accept me as a new patient until after the 31st because "technically" I am still a patient at my old dentist...any suggestions??

I guess because it will take more than one visit to fix, they won't start the proceedure.

Answer 1

I bet dollars to donuts.
You have and HMO.
This is classic this is what they do to patients, just because you are an HMO patient you are automatically a second class patient. Then when you do go in they will upgrade your services so that they can bill you all the stuff that the HMO's don't cover. I know this because my colleages tell me this. A dentist should see a patient when its an emergency. Your situation is just plain wrong

Next time pay a little more and get a PPO. Your chances are mildly better.

Good Luck

Answer 2

There is a very in-expensive but high-quality dental plan that can help you with that. It doesnt pay 100%, but can save you signifcant money, and most dentists are good about taking payments if you at least have a plan of some sort. Another good thing is, unlike tradional insurance, everyone in the US qualifies for it (except alaska and montana) Read on:

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Answer 3

The old dentist can't see you as an emergency? This I find hard to believe. Try calling them again and tell them you'll take anything they have - tell them you're in a LOT of pain. Until the 31st, they still have to see you. If they refuse - call your insurance and ask if there's anyone else that can see you on an emergent basis.

Answer 4

Can't your current dentist get you in on an emergency visit?

Answer 5

Call your insurance company, they should have procedures on how to handle emergency situations. It makes no sense to make you wait when a broken tooth can lead to further complications.