Help me..what should I do?

[IWantNewSmile]

Hi guys, I was schedule to have braces TOMORROW. But when I spoke to the doctor he told me to check with my medicaid and health insurance to see if they can cover it up. Well, I did investigate and they told me that the doctor/dentist would had to refer me to the braces.

It took me a little while to investigate because I had to call different numbers and the one that I needed it never used to go through. It used to say that there isn't enough room for more messages until one day someone finally picked it up and they told me that my doctor would have to refer me.

So, sigh I tried calling my doctor and NO ONE EVER PICKS UP. I waited to see if they had a voice mail option and NOTHING. I am a little embarrassed and I finally called today and some girl picks it up and she told me that he is not in today. And she said my best advice would be to still go to the appointment tomorrow and tell him this. Sigh, I already signed a contract but in the contract it just says that if I don't commit to payment that the treatment may be terminated...and everything that needs to be paid. I was suppose to pay $500 dollars tomorrow to start the process and then $100 dollars monthly.

I don't work so I honestly can't afford this, so sigh I am thinking of not even going to the appointment tomorrow I am embarrassed. And to make matters worse, I suffer from anxiety and I hate being judged lol.

[dvdrdiscs]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but braces isn't something that would be covered under health insurance like medicaid. Dental insurance covers it and that's sometimes difficult in itself. My dental insurance is Delta PMI and they only cover up to a certain amount.

To be quite honest, if you can't even get a hold of your doctor then it may be time to switch. I learned after many years that I no longer will put up with doctors that makes me jump through hoops to see/talk to him.

[Hyrule]

Call that lucky if your braces are covered by insurances. Here in canada there are virtually no insurances for that. We have to pay for every single step in braces. There are some exception for surgeries but there are rare insurance policy that covers braces but like i said they are rare.

[IWantNewSmile]

DVD thanks for your comment. I had braces when I was 10 years old to the age 11 and my parents didn't pay for it. My teeth were really crooked, however, when they took them off my teeth were still a little crooked. I personally believe that my doctor didn't do a GOOD JOB but since I was young I didn't speak up.

But yeah, I DONT KNOW what to do then. I really want jaw surgery, I need it my case is extreme.

Hyrule wow, I didn't know that. I been to Canada, beautiful country.

[James0099]

Yeah I thought you had to pay for braces as well, didn't know health insurance covers it, at least they don't for me.

[ColoradoGirl]

I totally agree with dvrdiscs--if you don't feel confident with the ortho, find someone else. Is there someone else you can work with? If not, and you really know you want this surgery, I think you should be as vocal and direct as possible. I mean, it's you on the surgery table--you should feel comfortable with everyone in your process, even if that means sorta calling them to task. Just my two cents, of course.

[RedDress]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but braces isn't something that would be covered under health insurance like medicaid. Dental insurance covers it and that's sometimes difficult in itself. My dental insurance is Delta PMI and they only cover up to a certain amount.

To be quite honest, if you can't even get a hold of your doctor then it may be time to switch. I learned after many years that I no longer will put up with doctors that makes me jump through hoops to see/talk to him.

what kind of doctor within a big insurance network will provide you a refference like this overnight? If you know someone like that in Chicago - let me know.. I could really use one ))).

[IWantNewSmile]

Hey guys.

I went to the ortho today and I had to pay $212 for the xrays, models and the pictures.

The money came out of my wallet but I don't think I will continue the treatment because I can't afford it.

Since I had have my braces before he explained to me that it would be hard to get them to approve it again. I guess because my teeth aren't as crooked as they were before, but I did explain to him how I have an overbite which he saw and agreed on.

However, I am feeling down. I am only a teenager(I am 19 and I go to school) and I have no job to pay the braces let alone the jaw surgery. I have lived all my life feeling ashamed and being bullied over my huge gums and having to cover my mouth when I smile because of it. My self esteem is extremely low due to this issue and it seems that I am going to have to wait till I am like 35 years old to even pay this which sucks.

I don't know what to do, I will need to go again for a cleaning(my medicaid covers this) and to finish more xrays job that wasn't finished today.

My parents have no idea that I did this. I am going to a corner to just go and cry.

[IWantNewSmile]

Oh and I saw the xrays and wow I didn't know it was that bad. It showed just how bad and extreme my case it.

Is it possible let say since I can't continue with this that they can give me all the documents.

I am devastated. I finally find out how to fix this problem for the rest of my life and is so expensive.

[sauerkraut]

Your ortho said it would be hard to get insurance coverage, but he didn’t say impossible? So put in a claim and see. You never know. I’m sure he’ll guide you through the process.

Maybe it’s also time to ask your parents if they can help out. Perhaps they might be able to find that initial $500 payment, once they see how much it means to you. It could be your Christmas present (for the next 10 years, if need be)! And you said it’s $100 a month after that? My daughter, also a schoolgirl, earns that by delivering papers one day a week. Are there really no jobs like that where you are?

Keep at it and I’m sure you’ll find a way

[sauerkraut]

By the way, for someone who finds all this stuff hard I think you’re doing great so far. It can take a lot of courage to phone all those officials and try to battle your way through the red tape. And I know a lot of doctors also aren’t the most approachable of people, sadly. So well done, you, for getting this far.

Obviously it wasn’t such a good idea to sign the contract before you were sure you could afford it, but that’s done now and this is obviously so important to you that I’m sure you’ll find a way through. I’m rooting for you

[sauerkraut]

Sorry about all the multiposts but I can't edit!

Just wanted to add that if you do want to try to get out of your contract and find another ortho then obviously NOW would be the time to do it! As he's been paid for what he's done so far and treatment hasn't properly started I can't imagine you'd have too much trouble getting him to release you.

[IWantNewSmile]

Ok I have some good news. I spoke with the dentist because I had an appointment 12/1 and he asked me some questions like if I have a hard time closing my mouth and I am like yeah is kind of like forcing it because of upper jaw. And also he was explaining to me how my xrays look and how some of my teeth will need to be taken out and that my teeth need to be straighten not just because of the surgery but also because although I had braces a 9 years ago, they didn't do a good job. So he took a copy of my medicaid and my insurance and he is going to contact them so that they can pay for everything. Also my teeth do not meet and have a huge space in between. I hope that they say yes because I can kind of see how my case might be approved. Wish me luck guys.

[RedDress]

Good luck!

[sadpanda]

I hope everything works out for you, and I don't mean to be so negative, but Medicaid is not likely to pay for orthodontic treatment. I suppose it depends on the state you live in, but I can't even get Medicaid to pay for a dental cleaning unless it is a serious medical emergency. Even if Medicaid did pay for cleanings, I have not yet found a dentist who accepts it. I am paying for all dental procedures and my orthodontic treatment out of pocket, which I can't really afford. If you have some kind of secondary insurance that is not from the government, you might be in luck. At least you're young though, and hopefully can get everything straightened out.