This isn't going to be like any of NYCeve's diaries on this issue, and it will be very brief. However, today, I went to the dentist. The dentist told me that I could no longer put off the inevitable wisdom teeth removal that I will have to undergo. The receptionist referred me to an oral surgeon. This practice had a cool website and nice literature.
I called that oral surgeon and his secretary told me that "they don't accept any insurance". I asked them what they did then. She said that "we are a fee for service practice". I then said "thank you" and hung up the phone.
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Anyway, though, that dental office receptionist gave me a list of oral surgeons who accepted MetLife. So I started calling them. The first few that I reached had numbers that didn't work. Finally the fourth oral surgeon accepted my insurance and his receptionist arranged my pre-surgery consult and the tooth removal.
I admit that I am very grateful to have good dental insurance--MetLife is as good as you can get. Even though dental insurance is quite stingy the operation won't cost me a lot of money. But I do feel some anger. I am angry that all that I have is a list of oral surgeons and I can't really determine if the one who is going to remove my teeth is good or not.
Also I wonder how that other practice can make money. I guess that people are willing to pay full price and then negotiate with their insurance to be reimbursed at the out-of-network rate. I know that a lot of therapists and psychiatrists tend not to accept insurance, but this makes some types of healthcare a luxury for the rich. I wonder how such a practice can keep clients. Then again I live in the DC area, which is very high income. So I am sure that they don't have a problem attracting clients.
My problem is minor. I am going to get the care that I need and only have to pay a nominal price for it. But it bothers me that every time I go to the doctor, I have to ask if he or she accepts my insurance. Before they do work I almost always ask for written assurance that my policy will cover the exams and/or procedures and for a clear estimate of what I will owe. It's kind of like going to a car repair shop.
Anyway I know that this isn't the stunning, breath-taking contribution to the healthcare debate. But I just had to vent about this.