Ruby Murray

Hi Calgal & all, just an update.....AB Blue Cross tell us we have no Ortho coverage at all on our plan, so lucks like that's clear who's gonna end up paying what. Kids are booked in Aug 9th at Dentist for check ups (that was the earliest they could fit them in....and I thought the UK was bad for waiting times!). Will get a clearer picture of what we'll be looking at then. How about this for a taster of how scary dental costs are here....a basic check-up & clean for the kids - $190 each!! :scared: Thankfully, we'll get 80% of that back through Blue Cross though.

Glad I asked this topic today, cos it's finally made me pull my finger out and make the right enquiries instead of putting it off and putting it off again some more

iaink

Blimey,

For me its only $106, or $131 with Xrays, and thats covered 100% within a few cents.

Ruby Murray

She told me the $190 is a ballpark figure that could range anywhere in between $140 & $190 but it's still a lot eh. Another example she gave me of certain treatment and what is 80% refundable.....Root canals - $400-$600...ouch!!

Calgal

Yikes - sounds like a bargain to me - ours is usually well over the $200 mark (big city prices maybe?) I had a crown done a few years back now and that cost me $650 Hub needs a bridge doing and has been quoted about $2000 for that! Thank god Blue cross will cover some of it.

Ruby Murray

I think this is good info for all the Brit folk coming over (and those thinking bout Canada to live) and knowing what they're up against regarding dental costs.

Changing the subject a little though....my lad's been working since last October and got quite a bundle in the bank already. He doesn't pay keep, but buys his own clothes now, toiletries, electronics, etc and pays towards eating out....do you think it would be (un)reasonable of us to ask him to contribute towards this ortho treatment or would that be mean?

Butch Cassidy

Do you want him to have Ortho treatment? Does it affect his Health?

If you can (honestly) answer yes to both then its unfair to make him pay (IMHO)

If its HIS choice (for purely cosmetic reasons) I think he should contribute.

Calgal

No, I don't think it unreasonable at all. If you had the cash in the bank, and it was no problem for you to pay - you would, right? If he has some money to 'help' cover the cost, then why not? If I were you, I would explain the situation, and that's it's too expensive for you. You never know, he may even offer

Ruby Murray

It's 50/50 on both parts.....Health-wise, it is affecting his eating because of the over-crowding (keeps biting the inside of his mouth) and HE desperately wants them straightening too because he's conscious of his smile. I would never expect him to pay all of the cost of the treatment - that would be a pretty disgusting deed for a parent to impose on their 15 y.o. kid......but say contribute a third, for example

Butch Cassidy

Yeah sounds fair(ish) to me.
Also like Calgal's suggestion.

Ruby Murray

Phew...thnx! I needed to hear that If we were rolling in dosh, living in our own nice house with no money worries then I'd definitely pay the lot - no problem. But since coming back last year with next to nothing and having to start from scratch, we are having it a bit tough atm.....the subject of him "contributing towards" his treatment has already been discussed with him and he has reluctantly resigned himself to that possibility, so when I tell him later that ortho isn't covered and we have to foot the bill, at least he's gonna know he'll have to help us out.

wonderwoman

OMG !! i had better be doing some serious saving for my sons ongoing dental treatment, he had an accident a couple of years ago and has had to have a couple of crowns fitted, which we already know will need redoing as he grows, and well as braces and possibly some veneers, guess i'd better go buy a lottery ticket

iaink

Arent all 15 year old boys basically self conscious about one thing or another? If not his teeth, then it would be something else.

What do you think they look like? If they are bad then do something while you still can. As a Brit I am sometimes conscious that many of the brits I know (myself included) have pretty crooked looking teeth by north american standards, but it is just cosmetic after all, and my life is pretty good despite my dental disadvantages.

I was struck watching a documentary about ABBA the other day how I used to think the blonde was pretty hot (as a pre pubescent boy), but looking at her now I was thinking that her teeth (since fixed) would not meet simon callows approval nowadays and ABBA may never have made it on purely non musical reasons.

Hey, hes 15, hes basicaly nearly an adult, treat him like one and lay your cards on the table. See what he says.

Ruby Murray

Well said, consider it done

Calgal

Just had a thought, jaycee. Before you get into treatment for your son, find out if you can upgrade your plan. Many companies allow employees to improve it and pay the difference. I've just read on the Albert Blue Cross site that their group plans can include up to 50% of Ortho costs.It could well be worth the premium increase if you can do it!

Steve_P

I'm baaaaaaaaaaack with a progress report.

In short carry on as per current normal. If I feel the need to increase the dosage of the Norvasc, the latest addition to my list of meds I can do that.
If that doesn't help then the only other option appears to be go back in and have another look (angiogram). They are reluctant to do that as I just had one of those in March and although the risk is small there is still a risk of triggering a heart attack. So we'll continue to try to control this by "better living through chemicals".

I also have to see him in another month (July 19).
Dr. Kryski he is in the South Tower at the Foothills.

Cheers
Steve