Questions about financial options..?

[Guest guest]

Hey everyone, I haven't posted here in a while. I just had a couple

questions. I've talked to a couple of my friends who have had the

surgery, and one said the surgeon took payments, the other said she

needed the money upfront. Is it always different? I can most likely

put half down before the sugery(around 10-15k) then make payments, but

no way all of it( that is unless my insurance will magically cover

this). I was hoping some people can share their financial stories with

me. I still have not had a consult yet =(, I've been working non-stop

trying to afford this. Thank you for any help!!

[Guest guest]

The decision to make payments depends on the surgeon. I met with two

surgeons, and one wanted it all up front. The other, said he would

work with me. As for the insurance, after 3 appeals to my insurance

company, they have decided to cover one jaw (kinda funny isn't it?).

So

if they won't cover it, I would try for the appeals. Usually the

surgeons that want it all up front, will let you apply for

CareCredit.

It's like a credit card you can apply for to use for medical

services.

I would ask the surgeon you plan on going to if they accept Care

Credit.

> Hey everyone, I haven't posted here in a while. I just had a couple

> questions. I've talked to a couple of my friends who have had the

> surgery, and one said the surgeon took payments, the other said she

> needed the money upfront. Is it always different? I can most likely

> put half down before the sugery(around 10-15k) then make payments,

but

> no way all of it( that is unless my insurance will magically cover

> this). I was hoping some people can share their financial stories

with

> me. I still have not had a consult yet =(, I've been working

non-stop

> trying to afford this. Thank you for any help!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

,41

I am all about the financial angle. In April 2004 I had my final

consult with my OS before having braces put on. Once braces go on

you are completely committed to the whole process because if you

then decide to not have the surgery you've wasted thousands to have

your teeth corrected and then eventually go back to the original

position. Anyway, 4/04, I was told once again by my OS office that

I could pay half down and make payments of no less than $100 a

month. It had taken me years to get to this point. We cashed out

my husband's stock for the down payment on the braces and got

started. In June of this year while awaiting preauthorization from

the insurance, my OS office said their policy had changed, even

though I had my original paperwork. Even if the insurance would

pay, I still had to pay 100% beforehand, and then the portion the

insurance reimbursed them would be sent back to me. My insurance

company Blue Cross/ Blue Shield denied everything, and I had to pay

100% two weeks before the surgery in order to have it done. We once

again cashed out my husband's stock, and thankfully my sister

offered part of her home equity line of credit to cover the rest.

The scary thing is that believe it or not, policies can change

quickly, and if it is somewhere between having braces put on and

having surgery, it could really screw you up. Know that each

doctor's office has a financial advisor. Speak to them up front and

honestly, find out their policy. If need be speak to several

different OS' to find out if one can accomodate you. One word of

caution, their financial policies have nothing to do with their

skills. I could have gone with a less expensive, more flexible

doctor, but remember, your future is in your doctor's hands. I

chose to stay with my doctor. He had been highly recommended by

fellow OS', and was an awesome doctor. Also, something that you

need to consider is the hospital bill. At times, they want to

consider this cosmetic because oftentimes that is what the insurance

company dubs it. Even if your insurance denies you, get a letter

from your doctor stating it medically necessary. Submit it to your

hospital's financial advisor. I did this, put $500 down, and am now

able to now make monthly payments instead of all up front. And from

what I understand, a hospital cannot take you to collections as long

as you are making regular, monthly payments, even if they are a

little small. That too though may vary from state to state. I hope

all goes well with this whole process for you. We are all here to

help out with any other questions you can think of. Take care.

Connie

> Hey everyone, I haven't posted here in a while. I just had a

couple

> questions. I've talked to a couple of my friends who have had the

> surgery, and one said the surgeon took payments, the other said

she

> needed the money upfront. Is it always different? I can most

likely

> put half down before the sugery(around 10-15k) then make payments,

but

> no way all of it( that is unless my insurance will magically cover

> this). I was hoping some people can share their financial stories

with

> me. I still have not had a consult yet =(, I've been working non-

stop

> trying to afford this. Thank you for any help!!

>

>

[Guest guest]

I will let you know what happens with my insurance. I am just

starting that battle. I have the same type of restrictions. I also

have a son in braces at this time and he's a new driver

(insurance!!!!!). If it's not one insurance company, it's another

(haha).

> > Hey everyone, I haven't posted here in a while. I just had a

couple

> > questions. I've talked to a couple of my friends who have had the

> > surgery, and one said the surgeon took payments, the other said

she

> > needed the money upfront. Is it always different? I can most

likely

> > put half down before the sugery(around 10-15k) then make

payments,

> but

> > no way all of it( that is unless my insurance will magically

cover

> > this). I was hoping some people can share their financial stories

> with

> > me. I still have not had a consult yet =(, I've been working

> non-stop

> > trying to afford this. Thank you for any help!!

> >

> >