Had my first medical bill last week!
Aug 1st 2017, 7:39 pm
#31
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 615
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
We had twins last year. My wife was hospitalized for 5 weeks prior to the birth. Son #1 was in the NICU for 15 days, son #2 was in the NICU for 30 days. Combined cost billed by the hospital was somewhere around $750,000. We paid the OOP max of $6500.
Aug 1st 2017, 7:41 pm
#32
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
I feel fortunate that I haven't needed much dental work done so far in life which is good as we have no dental coverage and couldn't afford to have work done.
Aug 1st 2017, 7:44 pm
#33
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
Aug 1st 2017, 7:45 pm
#34
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
avoid juices and smoothies.
That'll sort out most of the population.
Aug 1st 2017, 7:49 pm
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
surgical removal?
that would come under the medical insurance.
Not sure if good dentists would be willing to work with an HMO for routine dental care. The whole dental insurance set-up is awful. I cannot believe just how terrible the service is for both patients and dentists
that would come under the medical insurance.
Not sure if good dentists would be willing to work with an HMO for routine dental care. The whole dental insurance set-up is awful. I cannot believe just how terrible the service is for both patients and dentists
Aug 1st 2017, 8:02 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
Don't go to Mexico...
Do space out the treatment over a longer period of time. Ask for a breakdown of urgent - next 6 months, 6-24 months and maybe longer.
Do get another opinion, it will be different but should be in the same ballpark. If significant differences then get a 3rd. Ask to see all xrays and have them show you the problem areas.
(ex-dental hygienist)
Do space out the treatment over a longer period of time. Ask for a breakdown of urgent - next 6 months, 6-24 months and maybe longer.
Do get another opinion, it will be different but should be in the same ballpark. If significant differences then get a 3rd. Ask to see all xrays and have them show you the problem areas.
(ex-dental hygienist)
I've had a second opinion here, minus a few hundred dollars they were identical in terms of the work they wanted to do.
Aug 1st 2017, 8:36 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
Remember that if you have a HSA you can spend that on dental treatment.
Aug 1st 2017, 8:38 pm
#38
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
Many have a negative bias against anything medical in Mexico, and there are shady providers in Mexico, but doing research and get references from others, and there are many perfectly good dentists in Mexico.
My step mom has been going to a dentist in Tijuana for many years, decades
and has never had issues, work is good, and long lasting.
I have a friend in Canada who uses a dentist in Mexico as well, no issues whatsoever.
My step mom has been going to a dentist in Tijuana for many years, decades
and has never had issues, work is good, and long lasting.
I have a friend in Canada who uses a dentist in Mexico as well, no issues whatsoever.
Any particular reason against me going and getting dental work done in Mexico? (Genuine question!) My wife's grandparents have been going there for years and don't have a bad thing to say about it and I've been researching it and a lot of people seem very happy with the work they've received.
I've had a second opinion here, minus a few hundred dollars they were identical in terms of the work they wanted to do.
I've had a second opinion here, minus a few hundred dollars they were identical in terms of the work they wanted to do.
Aug 1st 2017, 8:56 pm
#39
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
Many have a negative bias against anything medical in Mexico, and there are shady providers in Mexico, but doing research and get references from others, and there are many perfectly good dentists in Mexico.
My step mom has been going to a dentist in Tijuana for many years, decades
and has never had issues, work is good, and long lasting.
I have a friend in Canada who uses a dentist in Mexico as well, no issues whatsoever.
My step mom has been going to a dentist in Tijuana for many years, decades
and has never had issues, work is good, and long lasting.
I have a friend in Canada who uses a dentist in Mexico as well, no issues whatsoever.
Aug 1st 2017, 9:13 pm
#40
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
I have no general bias against going to a Mexican dentist.
My issues are:
1. if you are needing extensive treatment then a dentist near to you that can sort out any issues quickly is a very good idea.
2. US health and safety requirements are very high and enforced. Mexican ones not so much. It would be a shame to end up with HepB for example.
3. If it all goes wrong, you can sue a US dentist.
4. Dental training in the US is a known high standard. Do you know anything at all about Mexican training?
I have a really good friend/colleague in the UK who has been training and teaching post grad courses to a very high level for 30 + years. He now goes all over the world teaching the same stuff and no-one gets his certification unless they meet the high standard imposed by him. I think this is a fabulous idea. The big issue about going out of your own country is not knowing whether the dentist is well trained. I know that if a dentist in India or wherever has been through my friend's course, then she will be great.
My issues are:
1. if you are needing extensive treatment then a dentist near to you that can sort out any issues quickly is a very good idea.
2. US health and safety requirements are very high and enforced. Mexican ones not so much. It would be a shame to end up with HepB for example.
3. If it all goes wrong, you can sue a US dentist.
4. Dental training in the US is a known high standard. Do you know anything at all about Mexican training?
I have a really good friend/colleague in the UK who has been training and teaching post grad courses to a very high level for 30 + years. He now goes all over the world teaching the same stuff and no-one gets his certification unless they meet the high standard imposed by him. I think this is a fabulous idea. The big issue about going out of your own country is not knowing whether the dentist is well trained. I know that if a dentist in India or wherever has been through my friend's course, then she will be great.
Aug 1st 2017, 9:26 pm
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
My son got hit in the face with a rock at school and got a split lip. Apparently, the boys didn't have a ball and wanted to play catch, so obviously they decided to use a rock! 
The school nurse called me to say I needed to take him to the doctor because it wouldn't stop bleeding. Oozing was the word she used. His pediatrician wouldn't do anything because it was a cut on his face, so I need to take him to ER. He needed 2 stitches, and we were in the ER for about 30 minutes. When we got the bill it was about $1600, after insurance paid their bit we had to pay around $800.
The school nurse called me to say I needed to take him to the doctor because it wouldn't stop bleeding. Oozing was the word she used. His pediatrician wouldn't do anything because it was a cut on his face, so I need to take him to ER. He needed 2 stitches, and we were in the ER for about 30 minutes. When we got the bill it was about $1600, after insurance paid their bit we had to pay around $800.
Aug 1st 2017, 9:39 pm
#42
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Had my first medical bill last week!
My son got hit in the face with a rock at school and got a split lip. Apparently, the boys didn't have a ball and wanted to play catch, so obviously they decided to use a rock! The school nurse called me to say I needed to take him to the doctor because it wouldn't stop bleeding. Oozing was the word she used. His pediatrician wouldn't do anything because it was a cut on his face, so I need to take him to ER. He needed 2 stitches, and we were in the ER for about 30 minutes. When we got the bill it was about $1600, after insurance paid their bit we had to pay around $800.
The school nurse called me to say I needed to take him to the doctor because it wouldn't stop bleeding. Oozing was the word she used. His pediatrician wouldn't do anything because it was a cut on his face, so I need to take him to ER. He needed 2 stitches, and we were in the ER for about 30 minutes. When we got the bill it was about $1600, after insurance paid their bit we had to pay around $800.
