Dodged a Dental Bullet
Nov. 6th, 2008 11:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjarvisBecause 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...
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...
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-06 10:11 pm (UTC)Green StampsAeroplan Points), and the cheque from Green Shield arrives within 10 days, nearly always before the VISA bill arrives, and invariably before I have to pay it.Of course, when I go to see Barrymycutegaydoctor (GP) [or any specialists he chooses to send me to], I flash my OHIP card and that's the last I see of billing procedures. No cash passes through my hands at all.
You're right. Health/dental insurance IS simpler here in the Great White North.