Money, Money, Money

I'm going to touch on something specific......that is becoming a thorn in my side.

At my first appointment with Dr. Moore, I expressed concern over going 2 months without teeth, while my gums heal.

A. Because I wondered how I would be able to eat anything.

B. Because I wondered how bad my speech would become.

C. Because I feared how I would look physically.

He said he could make a "temporary plate" for me to wear on the top. It can be put in immediately after they pull my top teeth tomorrow.

He showed it to me two weeks ago. It's already made. It looks exactly like a small clear plastic gum guard, with 6 false teeth soldered on the front.

Now, when he mentioned it on day one, he said it was called a surgical stint. He gave the finance lady a billing code for it. He said it was $300. She tried to pull the code up, but said it was an invalid code and she didn't know where he got it from. She called it a temporary plate, then told him that was $3000. He disagreed with her, again calling it a stint. She then said "Ohhh, that is $150."

Two weeks ago, she gave me a sheet with my estimated costs. This was only an estimate and the actual expenses could be higher or lower than listed. Last week, I questioned her about the estimate, because it did not reflect the "temporary" at all.

The way she explained it last Friday, was that it was actually a practice mold, to make my permanent obturator. It wasn't listed on the estimate, because it's part of the "Surgical Obturator" listed on my estimate. (That doesn't have a cost listed either. This is the part they have to submit a letter of medical necessity to my insurance company for approval.)

After that discussion, and just before I left after having my bottoms pulled, she came in and explained that "legally" they could not let me have the temporary. If they give it to me now, they can't bill insurance for it later, because it would be considered "Prior Treatment". If that happened, insurance could deny EVERY charge related to my mouth.

That would be financially drowning. Not something I want to chance. So it was discussed as to whether I could just pay for the temporary out right, rather than sending it through insurance at all. Yes, she said. We can do that.

So, along with the weekly costs of gas to drive there and back at about $80, the $25 co-pay due when I check in, and the $130 down payment I pay weekly towards my total bill, she also said to bring an extra $125 for the temporary.

Tuesday she calls and leaves a message for me. I work during their business hours and don't have the ability to call, so mom called her on Wednesday. Now she says the temporary is a "Surgical Stint" and will be an extra $450.

What??? First, why does the name of it keep changing? Second, why does the cost keep changing? I have no paperwork or documentation from them related to this "temporary", "stint", or "practice mold".....whatever they choose to call it week to week.

How do they expect someone to just pay whatever they say on a whim? That's a total of about $685 they expect me to pay in full tomorrow. That's more than I bring home on my paycheck for two weeks!!

My dad, Thank God for him, has applied for a loan against his 401K to help me with all the out of pocket costs. However, it takes time for that to go through, for the check to be issued, and then the bank will hold it for two weeks before the funds will clear.

My mom feels like they have no choice but to pay the $450. My teeth are coming out tomorrow, and she understands all my concerns with having no teeth for 2 months. So she feels like she just has to fork over whatever they say. I say B.S.!

Give me a bill! Give me proof of what it costs, what it's called, etc.

Mom doesn't have that much cash readily available.

So, I just got off the phone with the finance lady. I asked her why the price went from $125 to $450. She says, she misunderstood what it is they are putting in tomorrow. She thought it was a "splint", which is $125. But it's actually a "stint", which is $450.

I have 24 hours to come up with $450. So if you feel inclined to give me a little push, so that I can have temporary top teeth tomorrow, I would forever be grateful!!

If you click the ChipIn button on the right, you can securely make a Paypal or Credit Card donation. The funds are immediately put into my account.

As always, photos will be taken tomorrow morning before and after my appointment. I will post them as soon as I return home. Hopefully, I will return with my fake temporary, so I can give you half a smile.

Thank you all so much for continuing to check back. I am very honored to have faithful readers on my journey to smile.