So it seems my dentist put in composite fillings on posterior teeth, when my insurance only covers amalgam (silver) on rear teeth. I had no idea, until now
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You are allowed to call the insurance company and make their lives miserable until they change their minds. They put this dentist on their approved list so if he did something they don't approve perhaps they should take it up with HIM. You can also argue no prior knowledge and medical neccessity i.e. amalgam fillings used to contain trace amounts of mercury and some people blamed them for assorted health problems so that may be why he uses composite, though he should have informed you of the charge for them and he should have known they weren't covered and informed you since most dentists are kept up to date by their billing department. If in doubt about charges for services you can ask at the front desk of the doctor or dentist's office there is usually someone there who can answer your 'does my health insurance cover this' questions though I think they expect you to know at least up to a point.
If it winds up you have to pay for this treatment you can ask the dentist's office for a payment plan and pay as little as $5 a month (legally it might be $2 but I suggest $5 as a starting position for the haggling with the office manager.)
PS If you are married to a person who is in full-time American military service I believe you are entitled to free medical and dental care on base. You might want to look into that for future health needs.
Thank you for the reply. I think I will call the insurance company to be sure they know that it was him and his decision to use white fillings instead of amalgam. The silly thing is, I have several silver fillings already from a military dentist while we were stationed at RAF Lakenheath. So why he decided to put white ones in makes no sense! I think a payment plan will be the only way of dealing with it though :( Just sucks. I hate going to the dentist with a passion, and having to worry about insurance as well just raises my anxiety level even more. I am entitled to medical care through Tricare, you are correct on that, but at the base we are stationed dental care is reserved for Active Duty personnel only. No dependents :/ so that means we have to seek care off base and use United Concordia for insurance. Sucks but hey, better than nothing!!!
If it winds up you have to pay for this treatment you can ask the dentist's office for a payment plan and pay as little as $5 a month (legally it might be $2 but I suggest $5 as a starting position for the haggling with the office manager.)
PS If you are married to a person who is in full-time American military service I believe you are entitled to free medical and dental care on base. You might want to look into that for future health needs.
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I think I will call the insurance company to be sure they know that it was him and his decision to use white fillings instead of amalgam. The silly thing is, I have several silver fillings already from a military dentist while we were stationed at RAF Lakenheath. So why he decided to put white ones in makes no sense!
I think a payment plan will be the only way of dealing with it though :( Just sucks. I hate going to the dentist with a passion, and having to worry about insurance as well just raises my anxiety level even more.
I am entitled to medical care through Tricare, you are correct on that, but at the base we are stationed dental care is reserved for Active Duty personnel only. No dependents :/ so that means we have to seek care off base and use United Concordia for insurance. Sucks but hey, better than nothing!!!
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