Re: Scared to death!!!

October 23, 2005

Hey,

Where are you from? Maybe someone who lives in your vicinity would be able

to give you a little more specific advice... A lot of times it is just going

to see different orthodontists and surgeons who are willing to work through

your situation. Good Luck!

>

> OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to fix

> me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not wide

> enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have 2

> surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> lower jaw.

>

> I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've dyed

> my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

> so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am getting

> a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I can't

> do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile is

> not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side view.

> Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

>

> I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me what

> I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

> surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

> it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people trying

> to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's office

> called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

> asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers like

> 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

> heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't even

> try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

> bull.

>

> I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the only

> oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave up

> on that orthodontist.

>

> I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

> case.

>

> I went to the local university orthodontics department. First they

> told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

> month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said they

> aren't taking any more adults, ever.

>

> Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month. He

> is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

> the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

>

> I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company would

> cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off than

> I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover it?!?!

>

> PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

>

October 23, 2005

Hi Jokerandcatwoman,

I agree with Clare that knowing where you are from would help others

direct you to an OD in your area. But you should know that the

first office person may not have been schooled in insurance

coverage. Many of us here have our orthognathic surgery covered

with our insurance plans. Some insurance plans do not cover it and

even specify excluding it from their plan. If you have 10 insurnce

plan options at work (and you are lucky in this), I am sure one of

them does not exclude it. If it is not excluded, you can schedule

with an OMS and at least have the consult covered. Plans vary on

how much medical necessity they require before it is covered. But

the OMS should be able to clarify if you meet those standards. Most

OMS offices have very qualified office staff too, who know which

plans cover well and do not fight you as hard. It does take some

time to get into these offices though. I had a few month wait to

get in to see mine the first time.

I would go to your HR department and ask to speak with the person

who handles the medical claims. They should be able to tell you

which plans you have do cover orthognathic surgery when medically

necessary. Then find out which OD and OMS are in that plan. You

may find it necessary to travel to a city near you to find one. I

did, and I live in a farily metropolitan area. My OMS is about an

hour away. But my OD is in town. My insurance is covering my

surgery, and I have a written preauthorization in my file at the OMS

office and at home. They can still deny me due to the time lapse

between the braces and the surgery, but since I have the written

preauthorization, they can be pressured to cover it down the road

(our state insurance commissioner is really strict about insurance

plans covering preauthorized surgery). I would strongly advise

getting written preapproval in hand before getting your braces. And

are you considering if you will be with this employer for the

duration of your braces and surgery? My time frame from braces to

surgery is 2 years. Will you be there for that duration?

My OD is not covered, but my OD took a smaller down payment, and

made installment payment an option. I make relatively minor

payments for 18 months, and that is doable.

I totally understand your concern. I am sending you best wishes for

what you find out. I am really hopeful that one of those insurance

plans will be able to cover you. Please let us know what you find

out.

Hugs,

Fran

>

> OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

fix

> me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

wide

> enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have

2

> surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> lower jaw.

>

> I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

dyed

> my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

> so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

getting

> a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

can't

> do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile

is

> not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

view.

> Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

>

> I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

what

> I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

> surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

> it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

trying

> to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

office

> called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

> asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

like

> 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

> heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

even

> try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

> bull.

>

> I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

only

> oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave

up

> on that orthodontist.

>

> I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

> case.

>

> I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

they

> told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

> month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

they

> aren't taking any more adults, ever.

>

> Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month.

He

> is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

> the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

>

> I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

would

> cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

than

> I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

it?!?!

>

> PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

>

October 23, 2005

Hi there,

I just had the surgery here in California. My doctor is awesome and is

very well known and respected. Let me see if he knows anyone in your

neck of the woods that would be a good surgeon to use and will a little

more sympathetic than the jerk you had to see early. Also, a lot Dental

Schools will do the braces for less and on a monthly payment plan of

anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars. I'm doing my at UCSF. My medical

insurance is Kaiser and they are covering 100pct of the jaw surgery. See

if you can have a sleep study done to show some type of sleep apnea as

the insurance will cover the same type of surgery to correct that.

Where in the US are you? Let me know and i'll ask my doc if he knows

anyone good in your area.

Good luck.

Scared to death!!!

OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to fix

me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not wide

enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have 2

surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

lower jaw.

I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've dyed

my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am getting

a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I can't

do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile is

not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side view.

Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me what

I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people trying

to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's office

called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers like

10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

$30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't even

try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

bull.

I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the only

oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave up

on that orthodontist.

I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

case.

I went to the local university orthodontics department. First they

told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said they

aren't taking any more adults, ever.

Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month. He

is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company would

cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

$30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off than

I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover it?!?!

PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

October 23, 2005

I live in Kansas City, Missouri. Any help with finding a better

surgeon would be great. Also, about the orthodontics, as far as I

know the only dental school around here is the one that I was

telling you all that I went to and after 2 months I found out that

they are no longer taking adults. That's okay though, the

orthodontist I have an appointment to meet will take payments, and

they will only be around $150 a month.

I've never heard of sleep apnea. Is it common with people that need

orthognathic surgery?

>

> Hi there,

> I just had the surgery here in California. My doctor is awesome

and is

> very well known and respected. Let me see if he knows anyone in

your

> neck of the woods that would be a good surgeon to use and will a

little

> more sympathetic than the jerk you had to see early. Also, a lot

Dental

> Schools will do the braces for less and on a monthly payment plan

of

> anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars. I'm doing my at UCSF. My medical

> insurance is Kaiser and they are covering 100pct of the jaw

surgery. See

> if you can have a sleep study done to show some type of sleep

apnea as

> the insurance will cover the same type of surgery to correct that.

> Where in the US are you? Let me know and i'll ask my doc if he

knows

> anyone good in your area.

> Good luck.

>

> Scared to death!!!

>

> OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

fix

> me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

wide

> enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have

2

> surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> lower jaw.

>

> I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

dyed

> my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

> so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

getting

> a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

can't

> do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile

is

> not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

view.

> Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

>

> I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

what

> I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

> surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

> it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

trying

> to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

office

> called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

> asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

like

> 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

> heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

even

> try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

> bull.

>

> I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

only

> oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave

up

> on that orthodontist.

>

> I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

> case.

>

> I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

they

> told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

> month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

they

> aren't taking any more adults, ever.

>

> Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month.

He

> is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

> the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

>

> I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

would

> cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

than

> I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

it?!?!

>

> PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

>

October 23, 2005

Yes, it's really common and it's almost always a condition that the

insurance companies look for when authorizing payment for orthognathic

surgery. My doc is gone until the 8th of November. But i have an appt

with him that week and will as him to recommend someone there.

Thnx

Scared to death!!!

>

> OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

fix

> me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

wide

> enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have

2

> surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> lower jaw.

>

> I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

dyed

> my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

> so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

getting

> a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

can't

> do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile

is

> not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

view.

> Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

>

> I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

what

> I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

> surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

> it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

trying

> to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

office

> called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

> asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

like

> 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

> heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

even

> try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

> bull.

>

> I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

only

> oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave

up

> on that orthodontist.

>

> I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

> case.

>

> I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

they

> told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

> month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

they

> aren't taking any more adults, ever.

>

> Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month.

He

> is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

> the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

>

> I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

would

> cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

than

> I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

it?!?!

>

> PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

>

October 23, 2005

Fran, thanks for all of the information. If we had a Human

Resources department at my job, then that would be a good idea.

Instead, I work for the federal government and I am pretty sure we

don't have anything like that. Whenever someone has a question

about health insurance, they are always directed to a website.

So far as I know, we just have all of those insurance options, and

there is an open season of like 3 weeks out of the year that we can

change insurance plans. We have to go to that website, and we can

use a different web site to look at plan prices, and look at

brochures about the plans. They don't say anything about what is

being covered by the plans or what they exclude.

Anyway, open season is in the middle of November to the first week

of Dec, so I need to know now soon which insurance to switch to.

Coventry is the cheapest insurance that we can buy, so even though

my coverage booklet says they pay for oral surgery of the jaw, and

the lady I spoke to from coventry says they would cover orthognathic

surgery, maybe they really don't.

I'd probably be better off buying Blue Cross Blue Shield. Maybe I

could contact BCBS and ask them if they cover that?

Yeah I'm not worried about he cost of the orthodontics. I doubt any

insurance would pay for the orthodontics for a 24 yr old. I can

make payments on that so that is no problem.

I am from kansas city, missouri. The oral surgeon that I was

telling you about earlier (with the mean staff) is Prstjevich

or something like that. Is it bad to go to an oral surgeon who

isn't board certified? I want this done right, you know.

Every time I think about the surgery, I am realy scared about the

part where you have to breathe from your nose, which i've heard is

sometimes difficult. I have allergies, and a lot of the time my

nose is runny and I know it would be so hard for me to only breathe

out of my nose. I don't want to suffocate or anything. It seems so

scary.

> >

> > OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

> fix

> > me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> > surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

> wide

> > enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to

have

> 2

> > surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> > lower jaw.

> >

> > I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> > gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I

really

> > want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

> dyed

> > my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings

mainly

> > so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

> getting

> > a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal

and

> > take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

> can't

> > do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> > appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile

> is

> > not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> > makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

> view.

> > Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

> >

> > I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

> what

> > I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best

oral

> > surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon,

but

> > it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

> trying

> > to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

> office

> > called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my

orthognathic

> > surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So

I

> > asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

> like

> > 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has

never

> > heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> > $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

> even

> > try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> > didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was

such

> > bull.

> >

> > I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

> only

> > oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I

gave

> up

> > on that orthodontist.

> >

> > I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a

surgery

> > case.

> >

> > I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

> they

> > told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in

a

> > month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

> they

> > aren't taking any more adults, ever.

> >

> > Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month.

> He

> > is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> > work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network,

because

> > the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

> >

> > I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

> would

> > cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> > $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> > procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> > orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even

worse!!!

> > What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

> than

> > I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

> it?!?!

> >

> > PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

> >

>

October 23, 2005

Let me just say that I'm happy to hear that kids grow out of the neon

hair and piercings!

- Mom of a 20 year old with lots of accessories...

PS Keep looking, you'll find the right combination is docs and

insurance. And stick around here - there's lots of good advice in

this group!

>

> OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

fix

> me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

wide

> enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to have

2

> surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> lower jaw.

>

> I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've dyed

> my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings mainly

> so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

getting

> a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

can't

> do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile is

> not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side view.

> Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

>

> I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

what

> I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best oral

> surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon, but

> it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

trying

> to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

office

> called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So I

> asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

like

> 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has never

> heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't even

> try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was such

> bull.

>

> I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

only

> oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave

up

> on that orthodontist.

>

> I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a surgery

> case.

>

> I went to the local university orthodontics department. First they

> told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in a

> month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

they

> aren't taking any more adults, ever.

>

> Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month. He

> is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network, because

> the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

>

> I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company would

> cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

than

> I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover it?!?!

>

> PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

>

October 24, 2005

Yes, very much so! That's my problem.

Do you find yourself very tired all day even though you believe you

have had a full night's sleep?

Do you have a hard time staying awake while sitting and watching TV

or anything else that is not active?

Do you have a short-term memory loss or a short temper due to

exhaustion?

Do you snore and/or gasp for breath while asleep?

Do a Google on sleep apnea. Most sleep apnea sites have a

questionnaire you can do to get an idea if you should check with you

Doctor and attend a sleep lab.

If you have sleep apnea, most insurances will cover it due to it

being a medical condition that can cause heart problems down the road.

Hope this helps,

Sandy, PA

> >

> > Hi there,

> > I just had the surgery here in California. My doctor is awesome

> and is

> > very well known and respected. Let me see if he knows anyone in

> your

> > neck of the woods that would be a good surgeon to use and will a

> little

> > more sympathetic than the jerk you had to see early. Also, a lot

> Dental

> > Schools will do the braces for less and on a monthly payment plan

> of

> > anywhere from 50 to 100 dollars. I'm doing my at UCSF. My medical

> > insurance is Kaiser and they are covering 100pct of the jaw

> surgery. See

> > if you can have a sleep study done to show some type of sleep

> apnea as

> > the insurance will cover the same type of surgery to correct that.

> > Where in the US are you? Let me know and i'll ask my doc if he

> knows

> > anyone good in your area.

> > Good luck.

> >

> > Scared to death!!!

> >

> > OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that to

> fix

> > me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> > surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is not

> wide

> > enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to

have

> 2

> > surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back the

> > lower jaw.

> >

> > I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I have

> > gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I really

> > want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

> dyed

> > my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings

mainly

> > so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

> getting

> > a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal and

> > take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

> can't

> > do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> > appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my profile

> is

> > not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha. It

> > makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

> view.

> > Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

> >

> > I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told me

> what

> > I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best

oral

> > surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon,

but

> > it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

> trying

> > to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

> office

> > called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my orthognathic

> > surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would. So

I

> > asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer offers

> like

> > 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has

never

> > heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to pay

> > $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

> even

> > try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since they

> > didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was

such

> > bull.

> >

> > I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was the

> only

> > oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I gave

> up

> > on that orthodontist.

> >

> > I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a

surgery

> > case.

> >

> > I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

> they

> > told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me in

a

> > month. After a couple of months went by I called and they said

> they

> > aren't taking any more adults, ever.

> >

> > Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next month.

> He

> > is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he will

> > work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network,

because

> > the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

> >

> > I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

> would

> > cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up with

> > $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> > procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during the

> > orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even worse!!!

> > What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse off

> than

> > I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

> it?!?!

> >

> > PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

> >

October 24, 2005

Hi Jokerandcatwoman,

My sister works for the federal government too. She is pretty savy

about the medical issues. I am meeting with her tonight, and am

going to ask her where she finds her info about the different

plans. I will share with you what I find out.

Hugs.

Fran

> > >

> > > OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years that

to

> > fix

> > > me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and orthognathic

> > > surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is

not

> > wide

> > > enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have to

> have

> > 2

> > > surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back

the

> > > lower jaw.

> > >

> > > I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I

have

> > > gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I

> really

> > > want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years I've

> > dyed

> > > my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings

> mainly

> > > so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

> > getting

> > > a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress normal

> and

> > > take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors. I

> > can't

> > > do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> > > appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my

profile

> > is

> > > not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat, haha.

It

> > > makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

> > view.

> > > Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

> > >

> > > I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told

me

> > what

> > > I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the best

> oral

> > > surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral surgeon,

> but

> > > it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the people

> > trying

> > > to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral surgeon's

> > office

> > > called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my

> orthognathic

> > > surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they would.

So

> I

> > > asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer

offers

> > like

> > > 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has

> never

> > > heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to

pay

> > > $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they won't

> > even

> > > try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since

they

> > > didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It was

> such

> > > bull.

> > >

> > > I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was

the

> > only

> > > oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I

> gave

> > up

> > > on that orthodontist.

> > >

> > > I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a

> surgery

> > > case.

> > >

> > > I went to the local university orthodontics department. First

> > they

> > > told me they would take me on, and that they would contact me

in

> a

> > > month. After a couple of months went by I called and they

said

> > they

> > > aren't taking any more adults, ever.

> > >

> > > Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next

month.

> > He

> > > is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he

will

> > > work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network,

> because

> > > the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

> > >

> > > I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance company

> > would

> > > cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up

with

> > > $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about the

> > > procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during

the

> > > orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even

> worse!!!

> > > What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse

off

> > than

> > > I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will cover

> > it?!?!

> > >

> > > PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

> > >

> >

>

October 26, 2005

Hi Jokerandcatwoman,

I talked with my sister, and she said it might depend on what

program you work for with the federal government. In her office,

there isn't an entire human resources department per sey, but there

is a personnel office. They should have a copy of the plan

comparisons sheet there. Also, once or twice a year, they have

someone come in and discuss the differences between the plans.

Other than that, she said she spends time looking at the different

things the plans offer if she has something specific coming up.

And if you have an OMS in mind, you can call their office and ask

them which insurance plan covers the best for orthognathic surgery

too. Most OMS offices have a person who is designated for insurance

filing and preparation paperwork. Ask to speak with them about

this. Even if you don't have someone in your town, you can call the

nearest urban area to talk to someone. I am sure they can help you

if you tell them you have had this discussed and are trying to find

out which plan covers this the beat. It is probably your best

shortcut actually.

Good luck with this. Let us know what you find out. It may really

help someone else too!

Hugs,

Fran

> > > >

> > > > OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years

that

> to

> > > fix

> > > > me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and

orthognathic

> > > > surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is

> not

> > > wide

> > > > enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have

to

> > have

> > > 2

> > > > surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back

> the

> > > > lower jaw.

> > > >

> > > > I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I

> have

> > > > gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I

> > really

> > > > want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years

I've

> > > dyed

> > > > my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings

> > mainly

> > > > so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

> > > getting

> > > > a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress

normal

> > and

> > > > take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors.

I

> > > can't

> > > > do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> > > > appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my

> profile

> > > is

> > > > not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat,

haha.

> It

> > > > makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

> > > view.

> > > > Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

> > > >

> > > > I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told

> me

> > > what

> > > > I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the

best

> > oral

> > > > surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral

surgeon,

> > but

> > > > it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the

people

> > > trying

> > > > to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral

surgeon's

> > > office

> > > > called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my

> > orthognathic

> > > > surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they

would.

> So

> > I

> > > > asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer

> offers

> > > like

> > > > 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has

> > never

> > > > heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to

> pay

> > > > $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they

won't

> > > even

> > > > try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since

> they

> > > > didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It

was

> > such

> > > > bull.

> > > >

> > > > I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was

> the

> > > only

> > > > oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I

> > gave

> > > up

> > > > on that orthodontist.

> > > >

> > > > I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a

> > surgery

> > > > case.

> > > >

> > > > I went to the local university orthodontics department.

First

> > > they

> > > > told me they would take me on, and that they would contact

me

> in

> > a

> > > > month. After a couple of months went by I called and they

> said

> > > they

> > > > aren't taking any more adults, ever.

> > > >

> > > > Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next

> month.

> > > He

> > > > is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he

> will

> > > > work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network,

> > because

> > > > the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

> > > >

> > > > I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance

company

> > > would

> > > > cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up

> with

> > > > $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about

the

> > > > procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during

> the

> > > > orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even

> > worse!!!

> > > > What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse

> off

> > > than

> > > > I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will

cover

> > > it?!?!

> > > >

> > > > PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

October 26, 2005

Have you asked your surgeon for advice? They usually know which insurance

companies are approving the surgery for other patients and which companies

are denying the surgery. They may know of one of your choices that would be

a good bet.

>

>Reply-To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>To: orthognathicsurgerysupport

>Subject: [Orthognathic Surgery Support ] Re: Scared to death!!!

>Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 14:54:20 -0000

>

>Hi Jokerandcatwoman,

>I talked with my sister, and she said it might depend on what

>program you work for with the federal government. In her office,

>there isn't an entire human resources department per sey, but there

>is a personnel office. They should have a copy of the plan

>comparisons sheet there. Also, once or twice a year, they have

>someone come in and discuss the differences between the plans.

>Other than that, she said she spends time looking at the different

>things the plans offer if she has something specific coming up.

>

>And if you have an OMS in mind, you can call their office and ask

>them which insurance plan covers the best for orthognathic surgery

>too. Most OMS offices have a person who is designated for insurance

>filing and preparation paperwork. Ask to speak with them about

>this. Even if you don't have someone in your town, you can call the

>nearest urban area to talk to someone. I am sure they can help you

>if you tell them you have had this discussed and are trying to find

>out which plan covers this the beat. It is probably your best

>shortcut actually.

>

>Good luck with this. Let us know what you find out. It may really

>help someone else too!

>Hugs,

>Fran

>

> > > > >

> > > > > OMG! I am so scared about this. I have known for years

>that

> > to

> > > > fix

> > > > > me it would take like 3 years of orthodontics and

>orthognathic

> > > > > surgery. I actually have an open bite, and my upper jaw is

> > not

> > > > wide

> > > > > enough, while my lower jaw comes out too far. I will have

>to

> > > have

> > > > 2

> > > > > surgeries, one to widen the upper jaw, and one to move back

> > the

> > > > > lower jaw.

> > > > >

> > > > > I am 24 and I was happy enough with my appearance so that I

> > have

> > > > > gone this long without starting any procedures yet. Now I

> > > really

> > > > > want to be fixed. I feel kinda like a freak so for years

>I've

> > > > dyed

> > > > > my hair crazy colors, and got lots of tattoos and piercings

> > > mainly

> > > > > so people won't notice how messed up my teeth are. Now I am

> > > > getting

> > > > > a degree from DeVry so I will eventually have to dress

>normal

> > > and

> > > > > take out the piercings, and stop dying my hair neon colors.

>I

> > > > can't

> > > > > do that without fixing my mouth. I am not confident about my

> > > > > appearance because my teeth don't close together, and my

> > profile

> > > > is

> > > > > not very ladylike because my face is pretty much flat,

>haha.

> > It

> > > > > makes my nose seem big because my face is flat from the side

> > > > view.

> > > > > Hopefully that will change too, if I can get the surgeries.

> > > > >

> > > > > I went to an orthodontist a couple of months ago and he told

> > me

> > > > what

> > > > > I already knew I would need. He gave me the name of the

>best

> > > oral

> > > > > surgeon in town. I made an appointment with the oral

>surgeon,

> > > but

> > > > > it would take 3 months to get in because of all of the

>people

> > > > trying

> > > > > to get this same surgery. In the meantime the oral

>surgeon's

> > > > office

> > > > > called me and told me that Coventry won't pay for my

> > > orthognathic

> > > > > surgery. This is after Coventry already told me they

>would.

> > So

> > > I

> > > > > asked what insurance would cover it, because my employer

> > offers

> > > > like

> > > > > 10 different insurances I can choose from. She said she has

> > > never

> > > > > heard of ANY insurance that covers it. She said I'd have to

> > pay

> > > > > $30,000 out of pocket for the 2 surgeries, and that they

>won't

> > > > even

> > > > > try and charge my insurance for the $250 consultation since

> > they

> > > > > didn't think the insurance would pay for that either. It

>was

> > > such

> > > > > bull.

> > > > >

> > > > > I cancelled my appointment with the oral surgeon. That was

> > the

> > > > only

> > > > > oral surgeon that the orthodontist wanted to work with, so I

> > > gave

> > > > up

> > > > > on that orthodontist.

> > > > >

> > > > > I went to another orthodontist. She didn't want to take a

> > > surgery

> > > > > case.

> > > > >

> > > > > I went to the local university orthodontics department.

>First

> > > > they

> > > > > told me they would take me on, and that they would contact

>me

> > in

> > > a

> > > > > month. After a couple of months went by I called and they

> > said

> > > > they

> > > > > aren't taking any more adults, ever.

> > > > >

> > > > > Now I have an appointment with another orthodontist next

> > month.

> > > > He

> > > > > is aware that I need surgery. I still need to make sure he

> > will

> > > > > work with a different orthodonitist in Coventry's network,

> > > because

> > > > > the one I hate is the only board certified one around here.

> > > > >

> > > > > I don't know what to do. I don't know what insurance

>company

> > > > would

> > > > > cover orthognathic surgery. There is no way I can come up

> > with

> > > > > $30,000. I am a student!! Plus I'm scared to death about

>the

> > > > > procedure itself, and looking like a a hideous freak during

> > the

> > > > > orthodontic treatment that will make my mouth look even

> > > worse!!!

> > > > > What if I do the orthodontics and then get stuck even worse

> > off

> > > > than

> > > > > I am now because I can't afford surgery and no one will

>cover

> > > > it?!?!

> > > > >

> > > > > PLEEEEEASE help me if you have any advice for me!!

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

October 26, 2005

Step,

Hi my name is Jill and I would like to tell you that I had 2 different insurance

on the 4 diff surgeries that I have had in a little over a year..the first 3

were with BCBC and this last one was with Aetna HMO..neither gave me any problem

paying for these surgeries..aetna didnt question about preexsisting

condition...BCBS I had no co pay for the hosp, but with Aetna its $500.00..I can

tell you there are insurance companies out there that will pay for your surgery,

doctors know how to word the documents for the insurance company so they will

pay.

as far as doctors go make sure you get several, and I mean several consultation

with doctors..ask there credentials, where they got there degree, how many of

the surgeries that you need do they do a year...look at there bedside manner as

well as professional attitude..I am a nurse and of course I have been a pt 4

diff times with 2 diff surgeons...I belive my first one was good, and acted like

he would have done any thing to make what he meesed up right again, but I felt

he got to the point that he didnt know what else to do but never said hey Jill I

dont know what else to do let me call someone who can help us, instead he

ignored me after my last visit with him in June and said get your braces off,

and we will watch the loose upper jaw...not too smart, due to come to find out

the plates were broken again...

Please take my advice and use it...I dont want any one to go through what I have

gone through..Im hoping this one is the last one..Im now 3 weeks post op, not as

much pain as the first 3, doctor told me not to apply ice, but after 48 hrs

apply heat as needed, and my swelling as gone done so fast...he said people

apply ice and due to numbness dont realize when they have left it on too long

and they get like freezer burn and it makes your skin tigher and number...I have

a little tightness around nose and upper lip, with a little numbness in those

areas..no numbness in jaw or tongue, or palate (roof of mouth) as I had

before..my upper gums are numb again, I was getting the feeling back a little at

a time before surgery #4..It was 8-9 months after the 3rd surgery before I

started getting any feeling in my upper gums, now they are numb again...but I

feel the tingling so I know they will come back....this surgery you have to be

patent and say I wont let it get me down....trust me after 4

of them I know..

the first surgey was Lefort 1, chin aug, #2 was redo lefor1, #3 was redo lefort

1, #4 redo lefort 1, break lower jaw so both jaws will heal together, and wired

shut this time

Let me know if I can help with anything else, I know this site would have helped

me if I had know about it during the fisrt 3 surgeries...

you can email me personally at rjmcmanigal@...

Jill (in Atlanta, GA)

Weidel wrote: