I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Medicare/Insurance => Topic started by: SweetyPie on July 12, 2018, 11:16:14 AM

Title: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: SweetyPie on July 12, 2018, 11:16:14 AM
I just called my dentist office because I need quite some work done like wisdom teeth removal and braces. I wanted to get these things done because I am on the list and once I have s transplant I'm at a higher risk for infection. It would make sense to get things out the way am I right? So I called them and told them I have medicare snd Medicaid. They told me they dont cover if your are 21 and older. Seems like all the dental places have the same problem. So... WHERE DO I GO NOW? You would think medicare and Medicaid would be a bit more giving for people with disabilities. My family members can easily go anywhere and have things covered. I'm literally stuck.
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: iolaire on July 12, 2018, 11:34:31 AM
Reach out to your transplant team for advice. They can probably help figure out how you can get treatment for dental issues required for transplant.

I will say that from what I know of people with commercial insurance is that things like braces are basically only partially covered and people end up paying for most of it out of pocket.  When I get things like fillings and such I usually end up paying about 50% or more out of pocket because of Aetna co-pays or they don't cover the type of filling materials the dentist uses.

Also you are in DC area right?  I've heard that Howard University's dental program has free or discounted care from students (but that sounds a bit scary). 
http://www.districtchronicles.com/news/view.php/423706/Howard-offers-free-low-cost-dental-servi
http://healthsciences.howard.edu/education/colleges/dentistry/patient-care
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: SweetyPie on July 12, 2018, 08:37:34 PM
Lol that does sound scary. I want to go to a well experienced dentist and free... ehhhh doesnt sound too good lol. The one I used to go too was excellent but now that's put of the window. Hard finding a place you actually like. I will talk to my social worker on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: Simon Dog on July 14, 2018, 06:25:51 AM
Quote
So I called them and told them I have medicare snd Medicaid. They told me they dont cover if your are 21 and older.
Who is the "them" you called.

Medicaid covers dental, but the trick is finding a "Medicaid dentist".   These are rare, as there is more money to be made in declining Medicaid patients than in treating them.
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: SweetyPie on July 14, 2018, 11:44:37 AM
Obviously the dentist office...
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: SweetyPie on July 14, 2018, 11:46:00 AM
Yeah that's what I wrote earlier, I cant find a dentist that accepts my insurance
Title: Re: Where can I go for dental coverage!!??
Post by: LorinnPKD on July 23, 2018, 11:48:04 AM
Medicaid doesn't cover dental in every state -- they're only required to cover children.