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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,836 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,836 Likes: 9 |
Dentistry has become a racket. They pressure you to make frequent appointments to be examined for the purpose of padding their own pockets. Back in the day, you only saw a dentist if you had a tooth ache. Now they work hard to plant in our heads that we need to come in every six months. That's because the old model didn't allow for nearly as many dentists making a nice living. As a result of this new model, you can't get an appointment when you need one, because they are fully booked months in advance. At least with your dentist, you can decide the level of care you want for yourself. With your vet, if you decide something isn’t really necessary you’re left with lingering doubts about neglecting ol’ Fido…..
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21 |
At least with your dentist, you can decide the level of care you want for yourself. With your vet, if you decide something isn’t really necessary you’re left with lingering doubts about neglecting ol’ Fido….. The result of that is higher insurance premiums for everybody.
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,972 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 9,972 Likes: 7 |
"I pay cash" opens a lot of doors that would remain closed otherwise, and usually at around half the going rate they have to charge for the hassle of dealing with slow pay or no pay insurance carriers.
Ignorance can be fixed. Stupid is forever!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,907 Likes: 7
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,907 Likes: 7 |
Dentist's office on the phone: "You are way overdue for a check and cleaning."
Person with teeth: "OK, better schedule me."
Dentist's office: "Let's see, how about three months from tomorrow?"
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,907 Likes: 7
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,907 Likes: 7 |
There are none so lost as those who are trying to find their way back to the reception area as those who are leaving the examination room that they were led to.
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,905 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,905 Likes: 1 |
.. will look you dead in the eye and ask if you are available 4 months and 13 days from now. Evidently, she keeps a tight schedule. 
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country."
Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,941 Likes: 15
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,941 Likes: 15 |
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,576 Likes: 8
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,576 Likes: 8 |
I say, give me something tues-wed-thurs around 10am. Always set a dentist appointment at 2:30, that way ya can remember the time.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 20,843
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 20,843 |
My cardiologist office schedules me 2 years out. Okay, y'all are gonna call and remind me, right? If I don't answer, you might cancel the appointment.. it's not needed.   It's important to maintain a sense of humor (and a realistic out look) 
Please don't feed the trolls!
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,538 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,538 Likes: 2 |
Went to see my orthopedic surgeon in January.
Hip needed to be replaced.
Nurse grabbed me up, sent me down the hall for an EKG. Then around the corner for a blood draw.
"Your surgery is set for Friday, Feb 2, 2024. We will contact you with your arrival time!"
Phone call gave me a 5:15AM arrival time. By 8:00AM, I'm prepped and in surgery. By 11:00AM, I'm waking up from anesthesia in my room!
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 4 |
Dentistry has become a racket. They pressure you to make frequent appointments to be examined for the purpose of padding their own pockets. Back in the day, you only saw a dentist if you had a tooth ache. Now they work hard to plant in our heads that we need to come in every six months. That's because the old model didn't allow for nearly as many dentists making a nice living. As a result of this new model, you can't get an appointment when you need one, because they are fully booked months in advance. Modern tooth pastes and oral products coupled with heightened emphasis on oral hygiene have significantly reduced the number of cavities and other maladies that require lucrative restorative dental services. Which leaves dentists with cleanings and exams as the leading income stream. I cannot remember the last time I had a "new" cavity/filling? All of dental work I have had in the last 10 years has been clean up, fix up, of old mercury amalgam fillings that were originally done as a child 60 years ago.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,807 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,807 Likes: 8 |
"I pay cash" opens a lot of doors that would remain closed otherwise, and usually at around half the going rate they have to charge for the hassle of dealing with slow pay or no pay insurance carriers. Paying Cash... What a great idea... I once heard that Cash Is King... but the guy that said it... was a bit screwy... So I didn't pay him no nevermind.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,230
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,230 |
My family has been seeing the same dentist since 1974.
My Grandparents saw him,my Mom,Myself and my children all are patients of his,but he is getting up there in years,I hope we can find as good a replacement.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,905 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 20,905 Likes: 1 |
Went to see my orthopedic surgeon in January.
Hip needed to be replaced.
Nurse grabbed me up, sent me down the hall for an EKG. Then around the corner for a blood draw.
"Your surgery is set for Friday, Feb 2, 2024. We will contact you with your arrival time!"
Phone call gave me a 5:15AM arrival time. By 8:00AM, I'm prepped and in surgery. By 11:00AM, I'm waking up from anesthesia in my room! So, how are you doing now? Mobility?
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country."
Robert E. Lee
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Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,538 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 3,538 Likes: 2 |
"I pay cash" opens a lot of doors that would remain closed otherwise, and usually at around half the going rate they have to charge for the hassle of dealing with slow pay or no pay insurance carriers. Paying Cash... What a great idea... I once heard that Cash Is King... but the guy that said it... was a bit screwy... So I didn't pay him no nevermind. ^^^^This^^^^ I always ask for a cash discount. It doesn't always work....but sometimes, it does! Best "cash discount" so far saved us $3500! A medical test shrank from $5k to $1500 with an offer of a cash payment.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,176 Likes: 38
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,176 Likes: 38 |
All of my appointment minders are set up on text message. Even the big snooty hospitals use it.
Plus I actually use my patient portal. Has a fancy dash board inside the iphone app.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21 |
I always ask for a cash discount. It doesn't always work....but sometimes, it does!
Best "cash discount" so far saved us $3500!
A medical test shrank from $5k to $1500 with an offer of a cash payment. The modern system of health insurance is a gigantic scam. What they charge your insurance company is obscene, but most don't know because their bill is only a fraction of what is charged to the insurance company. The result is extremely expensive premiums on our insurance policies.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,941 Likes: 15
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,941 Likes: 15 |
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,773 Likes: 21 |
All of dental work I have had in the last 10 years has been clean up, fix up, of old mercury amalgam fillings that were originally done as a child 60 years ago. I remember back in the early 1980s going to the dentist for a cavity drill and filling. I asked what he was using for the filling. He told me it was an amalgam of mercury, lead, and other materials. I immediately got up from the chair and told him he had to be kidding. "Don't you know," I asked, "that those metals are highly toxic??" He said, "Oh, no, they treat it in such as way that it never leaches." Eventually, he talked me into sitting back down. I regret not making tracks out of that office, now, when I had a chance. I still have that filling.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,176 Likes: 38
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 67,176 Likes: 38 |
I get the extended EOBs mailed to me
Just because the physician bills for $5000, thr insurance likely only pays him about $875
Same with the facilities
Bills says 30,000 for operating room services, pharms
Insurance pays about $4000
Been seeing it like that for a long time
Contractually pre-negotiated rates. For in-network providers.
Gets a little dicey outside your network.
Always consult your annual book for lists of in-network. Also in-network is NOT defined by geographic area. I have in-network 3 states away.
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