New expenses to start out 2006
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New expenses to start out 2006
| Thu, 12-22-2005 - 9:55pm |
I was looking forward to starting the new year and being able to put a big amount to my credit card debt, but I found out today that I will need gum surgery after the New Year. Blah. I neglected my teeth for a few years, and now I have to pay. I already paid this year to have a root scaling done, and now I have to pay for the surgery. $284 is my portion after insurance pays their part. On the upside, the Periodontist feels that I should be able to go back to a normal 6 month cleaning schedule (which insurance covers 100%) after I heal from the surgery. I'm trying to stay focused on that bit of good news. :-D
Pat

You're right, Whiz. If we wait, it only gets more expensive. It was hard for me to think about that when I was trying to make the choice between credit debt and health. Seems silly now to think that I actually stopped to "choose" between the two, but I did, and the way my dentist is talking, I should enter into the 2nd half of 2006 with a healthy smile, all damage repaired. I am thankful for that.
It's not just money, though, it's also fear for me. I really do not like the dentist. I had a kind of "rough" dentist as a child, and I fear pain. When I had my root scaling/planing, the Periodontist told me they do one side of the mouth and then another appointment for the other side. I told him, truthfully, that if I had pain during the first side, I'd probably never come back for the other, so I wanted both sides done at the same time. He looked at me funny and warned me that my entire mouth would be numb for several hours, but I insisted. It took about an hour from start to finish. My appointment was at 10am, and I had no feeling in my mouth until 1pm, but once it was over, I was thrilled. Recovery was quick, and the worst part was trying to get the 2 perscriptions for antibiotics filled while not having feeling in my mouth and tongue. I was drooling all over myself at the pharmacy. You can imagine the funny looks I got.
Here's to good health in 2006!
Pat :-D
cindylee
Hello,
You can't always plan for those unexpected medical and dental bills. In fact, that's a great reason to add some money to your emergency fund, which lets you handle these things without adding to your debt. Congratulations on having a little extra to use on the upcoming dental bills, even if it won't pay off a credit card bill, you won't be adding to your credit card bills! You should consider this good news.. your money management has allowed you to handle an unexpected expense without adding to your credit card charges. =)
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Take a Virtual Ride in a Ferrari!
http://www.my.ws/runsamok
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished
You're right, Whiz. Dental work is sure expensive. I would have gasped over the $1200 also. LOL! I almost got weak in the knees when I saw my gum surgery would cost $1029 before insurance. My insurance covers 80%, so I'm extremely thankful for that, although the insurance company's part will take a big chunk out of the $1500 maximum I am allowed during the entire year.
Here's hoping we don't have any other dental problems once our initial ones are taken care of! :-D What keeps my thoughts positive on these dental visits is that my Periodontist (gum doctor) always seems completely booked for appointments. I have to schedule my appointments a few months in advance. So it looks like I'm not the only one with gum troubles. :-D There's always a silver lining. :-)
Pat :-D
Hello Whiz,
I've had to deal with expensive dental procedures as well, although I didn't have to have gum surgery. My husband and I had neglected our cleaning visits. Boy did we pay for it when we headed in for a checkup! Scaling, two cleanings each, and a new crown (for my husband) were needed. I had to get a few fillings replaced that were rather battered.
My husband doesn't like going to the doctor unless he absolutely needs it. Thus, I make all of the annual appointments for him.
We try to visit the following once a year for a checkup:
Annual Physical
Vision
Dental
Dermatologist
Gynecologist (for me, of course)
Allergist
Hearing (I wear hearing aids)
All of these initial checkups are covered by insurance, so I might have a copay, but usually nothing else. It sounds like a lot of checkups, but honestly, if one of these catches something that needs work, it's worth it. My husband and I visit a chiropractor regularly too.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Take a Virtual Ride in a Ferrari!
http://www.my.ws/runsamok
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished
Hello,
I'm glad my post was useful. Actually, I'm on a Bluecross PPO too, 90% covered in-network, 70% covered out of network. I've had to have several surgeries done by specialists in the past, so I wanted to make sure I could get *some* coverage while visiting the specialists.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Take a Virtual Ride in a Ferrari!
http://www.my.ws/runsamok
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished