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Let me start by saying that I am English and despite having been in NY for over three years, I still don't understand totally how medical insurance works. I would like to know if this is normal for here and something I need to get used to, or whether I am right to be upset.
Last week I went for my dental clean (included in insurance, no co-pay). They told me I had an embarrassing number of small cavities which needed to be filled now to stop them getting worse. We are about to buy a new condo and are a little tight on cash, so I asked how much it would cost.
She looked at the ex-rays and quoted me $800 of which 80% is paid by insurance, leaving me with a co-pay of $160.
Today I went in to have the teeth filled. The dentist said he found another cavity he hadn't seen before and did I want to have that one done also because that would complete everything. I said yes assuming that it would be another $200 and my total co-pay would end up as $200.
I went to pay and the total co-pay was $521!!! I couldn't believe it! Apparently my insurance maxed out, so I had to pay for one $200 filling myself. I am pissed off that I wasn't told first, but even if I am the stupid one who doesn't know what is going on with the insurance, $200 + the $160 originally quoted is still nowhere near $521.
The woman who quoted me is unapologetic, just said she couldn't help me.
I was so upset I cried the whole way home - it's not the money so much, it's the being taken by surprise like that.
I don't know what to do, in England this wouldn't fly but I am not sure if it is normal here? Do I just have to get over it or should I make more of a fuss?
Any advice much appreciated!
Last week I went for my dental clean (included in insurance, no co-pay). They told me I had an embarrassing number of small cavities which needed to be filled now to stop them getting worse. We are about to buy a new condo and are a little tight on cash, so I asked how much it would cost.
She looked at the ex-rays and quoted me $800 of which 80% is paid by insurance, leaving me with a co-pay of $160.
Today I went in to have the teeth filled. The dentist said he found another cavity he hadn't seen before and did I want to have that one done also because that would complete everything. I said yes assuming that it would be another $200 and my total co-pay would end up as $200.
I went to pay and the total co-pay was $521!!! I couldn't believe it! Apparently my insurance maxed out, so I had to pay for one $200 filling myself. I am pissed off that I wasn't told first, but even if I am the stupid one who doesn't know what is going on with the insurance, $200 + the $160 originally quoted is still nowhere near $521.
The woman who quoted me is unapologetic, just said she couldn't help me.
I was so upset I cried the whole way home - it's not the money so much, it's the being taken by surprise like that.
I don't know what to do, in England this wouldn't fly but I am not sure if it is normal here? Do I just have to get over it or should I make more of a fuss?
Any advice much appreciated!