Dodged a Dental Bullet

Because of the ugly tooth chipping and subsequent temporary crown last week, I had to cough up $1,130 for which I hadn't budgeted. I have dental insurance and some spare funds in my medical tax saver account, but I couldn't know in advance how much my insurance would reimburse and how much would be left for me to pay.

The dentist also mentioned he wanted to think about a crown for another tooth and replace two very, very old fillings. More money to spend.

This week is open enrollment with my Dear Employer. If I could get the financial numbers from the first crown in time, perhaps I could postpone the elective work until next January while also increasing my 2009 medical savings account contributions to cover the extra.

Today, I got the numbers.

The crown cost $1,130 and my plan covered $883.40, leaving me with a bill of $246.60. I have $385.85 left in my MSA so after deducting the $246.60, I'm left with $139.25 to use before December 31. My insurance ceiling is $2,000 and I have $860.60 left in insurance for this year. My second crown, presuming there are no additional charges or surprises, would therefore cost me $269.40 on which I can use the balance of my MSA leaving me with final out-of-pocket cost of $130.15.

My insurance should cover 80% of the fillings which I estimate to be about $150 each, but I don't know if there are additional costs associated with their replacements.

To summarize, I figure I'll do the extra crown work this calendar year to max out my insurance in 2008, giving me a clean slate for 2009. My dental fillings and any other elective medical procedures can wait until January when my MSA will be replenished.

My health wasn't this complicated when I lived in Canada. :-^

Now to get that reimbursement submitted for the first crown...

Dodged a Dental Bullet

Because of the ugly tooth chipping and subsequent temporary crown last week, I had to cough up $1,130 for which I hadn't budgeted. I have dental insurance and some spare funds in my medical tax saver account, but I couldn't know in advance how much my insurance would reimburse and how much would be left for me to pay.

The dentist also mentioned he wanted to think about a crown for another tooth and replace two very, very old fillings. More money to spend.

This week is open enrollment with my Dear Employer. If I could get the financial numbers from the first crown in time, perhaps I could postpone the elective work until next January while also increasing my 2009 medical savings account contributions to cover the extra.

Today, I got the numbers.

The crown cost $1,130 and my plan covered $883.40, leaving me with a bill of $246.60. I have $385.85 left in my MSA so after deducting the $246.60, I'm left with $139.25 to use before December 31. My insurance ceiling is $2,000 and I have $860.60 left in insurance for this year. My second crown, presuming there are no additional charges or surprises, would therefore cost me $269.40 on which I can use the balance of my MSA leaving me with final out-of-pocket cost of $130.15.

My insurance should cover 80% of the fillings which I estimate to be about $150 each, but I don't know if there are additional costs associated with their replacements.

To summarize, I figure I'll do the extra crown work this calendar year to max out my insurance in 2008, giving me a clean slate for 2009. My dental fillings and any other elective medical procedures can wait until January when my MSA will be replenished.

My health wasn't this complicated when I lived in Canada. :-^

Now to get that reimbursement submitted for the first crown...