Author Topic: More ex-employer goodness. (Read 208 times)

Urchin · « **on:** September 12, 2002, 04:17:12 PM »

Just got a bill today for 230 dollars from the dentist. The dentist checked to make sure I had insurance BEFORE they did the cleaning (and good god 230 bucks for a cleaning seems like a lot to me, but about half that was for Xrays). I went to the dentist because the two managers that fired me TOLD me I had two weeks from the date of my LAST check before my benefits ran out. Whoops, they were mistaken. Guess this is another case of "Well, they SHOULDN'T have told you that, so we are in no way responsible with what you do with that information". Called the dental insurance, they said my coverage was terminated on the 13th, even though I was paying dental insurance premiums up until my LAST check (which was the 29th, I went to the dentist on the 27th). They can't do a thing about it, call the Benefits deptartment at the company.

"I am deeply sorry you were minsinformed by your managar, but you were terminated on the 12th, and that is when your benefits run out".

I love this toejam.

Curval · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2002, 04:25:38 PM »

I think they charge based on the poundage of plaque removed...explains why the bill was so high.

Seriously..that sucks. I think most of us can give similar accounts of getting burned because they "listened" to someone. It forces all of us to think more like lawyers..."Get everything in WRITING".

Live by that rule and you will have less hassels in life, guarenteed.

Kieran · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2002, 04:30:30 PM »

NOW you have a case. This I would forward to BBB. If you were deducted pay for benefits, and you were a policy holder in good standing, I would have to imagine the bill should be made good.

Rude · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2002, 04:36:13 PM »

A few questions.....

Are you paid weekly or bi-weekly?

Is your premium payroll deducted each pay period or just once each month?

Let me know as I may be able to help:)

midnight Target · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2002, 04:44:02 PM »

In California we (employers) must provide the opportunity for employees who are terminated to continue their insurance coverage. This is called 'Cobra' and I'm pretty sure it is nationwide. I think you might be able to have this taken care of Urchin.

MrLars · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2002, 04:49:05 PM »

I had almost the same thing happen to me about 10 years ago. I had a tooth replaced w/ a titainium post and fake tooth. I had the Doc OK the procedure with the insurance co. before treatment was started only to have them say that I was inelligable for coverage since there was a one year waiting period before that particular benifit was covered...that happened when my new tooth was still being made.

My only options were to walk around with a black spike where my incisor should have been or pay up to get the tooth in. $2200 later I was even more handsome than before but a bit poorer for it also.

Urchin · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2002, 05:32:43 PM »

Yes, MT, I am eligible for COBRA. The cost is 234 dollars a month for health and dental, and it covers 'retroactively' to the date of termination. Of course, you also have to PAY for the retroactive coverage.

So my choice is pay the dentist 230 dollars, or pay 468 dollars for two months worth of coverage (of which one month is already gone).

Rude, we were paid bi-weekly, with premiums deducted every check.

ra · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2002, 07:35:51 PM »

FWIW, I am self-employed and pay my own dental bills. A few years ago, when I first went independant, I went to a dentist who took x-rays, then said he wanted me to come in 4 more times for cleaning and to replace 2 fillings. The bill was going to be $720. So I went to another dentist at a strip mall, and he gave me a checkup and cleaned my teeth for $90. He said none of my fillings needed to be replaced. I've been going to him ever since. Shop around, dentists are like lawyers, always looking for a chance to pad the bill.

Stay away from dentists with big suites and multiple receptionists and assistants. One dentist, one chair, one assistant is all you need.

ra

Elfenwolf · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2002, 08:34:24 PM »

ra, rgr that. I'm self employeed and dental plans don't cover half the crap you will need done so it's worthless. My daughter's braces were 7,500, wife's root canal was a butt load of money and once my wife found out the tight bastards were charging me 50 bucks for nitrous oxide at my cleanings there's nothing left bout the dentist that's fun.