I had one of the worse experiences at a dentist’s office. This is why I believe health care does not belong in the private sector.
Worse dentist visit ever.
I woke up with a bad toothache. The truth is, it was building for some time, but I thought it was manageable as it has always been. I called our insurance’s Tele-Dentist and got a prescription for an antibiotic. Monday was unbearable. The antibiotic was not working.
I made an appointment with a dentist in Kingwood on my plan. As soon as I got there, I knew it was trouble. It was the same dentist that IMHO ripped off my wife, forcing her to get a procedure she did not have to get and overcharging her for a crown. But I was in pain, so I went into the office.
The 22-year-old technician was excellent. She took all the X-Rays. We had some small talk, but when we hit healthcare, she volunteered, “If Canada can give all of their citizens good healthcare, how comes we can’t?” I was pleasantly surprised. But my experience at that office will prove why it is so hard to change to a Medicare for All system that covers your entire health.
The dentist did some cold tests and hammer tests on each tooth to get the actual teeth causing the severe pain. Even though I thought a major pain was a top molar, it turned out to be the bottom one radiating the pain. Though she claimed the top one had nerve issues as well.
After that 5-minute exam, it was time for the diagnosis. “You need two root canals,” the dentist said. “And you will need a crown on both.”
“Really,” I asked. “And why do I need a crown? In Panama, we do root canals and call it a day.”
“Well, if we do a root canal here,” the dentist said firmly. “We must put a cap on.”
I got it. It was a massive bill in the making. By the way, they have a machine that prints crowns right at the establishment’s entrance. It was clear to me, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail” was their modus operandi. And they charged a premium for that nail.
When she saw I was concerned about pricing, she said, “Maybe we just need to do the bottom one.”
Really? I said, “I do not want a crown, just the root canal.”
She asked me to let the business office come up with the quote. Following is the quote.
My insurance pays all but $275 for a root canal. And it pays all but $230 for the crown. Notice what they have done. They use a crown that our insurance won’t pay for, likely because it is an overpriced gouger.
Just before finishing this article, I had a conversation with my doctor. When I told him about the bill, he laughed and said they should have been ashamed of themselves. He then said he paid out of pocket for his root canal and crown. He paid $1,100.
There are two types of healthcare providers (physicians, dentists, etc.). The first type is a capitalist who believes in charging whatever the market will bear, even if it means providing unnecessary, overpriced services. And the second type is those who believe in healing their patients while making a fair income. Unfortunately, the latter is in short supply. That is why healthcare does not belong in the private sector. A sick patient does not have choices. They must be healed. SHAME ON AMERICA for not having universal healthcare.
Viewers are encouraged to subscribe and join the conversation for more insightful commentary and to support progressive messages. Together, we can populate the internet with progressive messages that represent the true aspirations of most Americans.
The reason I have a problem with the title Medicare For Ass is Medicare is not full coverage medical insurance.
I have sleep apnea. I have a type of apneas that cause my brain to not remember to breath and must use the sleep machine. The machine I use is manufactured by Phillips Respironics. The machine I use is, and has been for the last 18 months, under a voluntary recall. No replacement machine in sight and I MUST sleep with the machine nightly. Or become what historically has been one of the older folks who went quietly in their sleep.
Medicare will not purchase me a new sleep machine. They will only pay for a sleep machine every 5 years. Medicare continues to pay for my machine. They pay an exorbitant amount for a monthly rental and then, after I prove that I use the machine a minimum of four and one half hours a night, Medicare will purchase the machine and it is mine until I qualify for an other new machine. That the machine is under recall, with a possibility of causing some form of cancer is not a problem for Medicare, it is a problem for me. I must either use the recalled machine or use my own finances to purchase a $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 machine.
While the machine is under recall I must prove that I am using the machine or Medicare will remove the machine from me or charge me, and take it out of my Social Security, more than the machine is worth new, as they pay much much more with the rental scheme that is in place. My life is dependent upon this financial quagmire of Medicare and the Medical Device Manufacturer in cahoots to keep the money coming in to Philips while they have volunteered to recall almost all of their machines because they cause cancer
I went a couple of weeks ago to get fitted for a new mask for the machine. Before the new mask arrived I saw an article on the recall of the mask I had been fitted for. I called the provider to find out if what I heard was accurate and if it was the new mask that they were going to provide for me. She had not heard the news of the recall. The mask was developed by Phillips Respironics. Seems the magnets that they had used to keep the mask fitted caused folks with electroclinic heart implants were dying because the magnets interfere with the electronics. What an awful medical device manufactured.
When I hear you and others use the term Medicare for All, I understand what you are saying. However, I also hear that the new medical system will have some deadly problems built into it. The problem with my sleep machine and Medicare is only one area I see faulty health care provided.
I guess what I am asking is that you use the term Universal Health Care or Health Care For ALL. Both of those terms have no negative connotation in the Unhealth American Health Care System.
If you come by my house I could tie a string around the bad tooth and tie the other end of the string to a heavy door and then slam the door. Ashley could help you with that medical treatment at your house. Something I saw on a children’s show from the 1970’s. Get to the lower cost Dentist, get well soon.
Love You
You absolutely have a point, and we may need to do just that to avoid confusion for those who know the deficiencies in standard Medicare. Medicare for All is entirely new, including dental, hearing, and eyes. But it is hard to convey.
Thanks for watching,
AND love you back.