Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 4:30 am Post subject: insurance
OHH...I agree, MAZE!! I KNEW the military had Tricare that covered 'part-timers' ( me), but, i din't know I could purchase a dental policy seperate from medical. I sure will add this to my Blog, when I'm not so tired and I can see straight!!LOL
I hate to disagree, but the truth of the matter is that dental insurance is a total rip. Your better off going into the dentist office and negotiating a price. Look at the premiums compared to the Maximum benefits... Its just not worth it...
$400 a year for a max payout of $1,500... Makes not sense... Your could reduce the cost of your bill by $1,500 with a simple question asked... "Hey can we reduce that by $1,500"... Simple as that....
Just look at health insurance... Lets say $2,000 a yr with an unlimited payout... Thats real Insurance...
My Opinion (And Ive been doing this for a while now) Dental Insurance is just not worth it. Its the same as asking for a discount. _________________ Ramiz A. Hakim
Independent Insurance Broker
5697 Charlesgate Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
866.497.4014 Office
206.203.4602 Fax
You may be paying the $400 a year but that $400 is saving you ~$1100 total not to mention that dental plans negotiate prices so you also save money there. Sure you can talk and negotiate with the dentist yourself but may not get as good of a negotiated price.
Going with the discount dental plans is basically just getting the negotiated lower price and most of those you can get for $75-200 a year.
Dental insurance or the discount dental plans are worth it since they help lower your overall expenses. Yes you can negotiate a discount price but you don't necessarily have the same pull as the insurance companies. And even though you get a lower price with the insurance you can still negotiate for lower prices still.
And grapeshot is basically like bird shot in a shotgun except it was used in canons and were about the size of musket balls.
Hypothetically your concept may work, but in real life dentists will give you the same discount.
If my clients tell me they want dental insurance I tell them I wont sell it, I wont sell a product just to sell a product, its just not good.
Truth of the matter is that dentist will negotiate with anyone, they rather make a little bit over some dentures than nothing.
When you come in with a discount/insurance card you have lost your negotiation power. Im sure there are many seniors who have been able to negotiate the price of dental work and end up paying less than the price on someone who is paying a premium, I would venture to say most seniors are better off without dental insurance. _________________ Ramiz A. Hakim
Independent Insurance Broker
5697 Charlesgate Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
866.497.4014 Office
206.203.4602 Fax
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 12:40 am Post subject: dental
BROKERDEALER........I don't know if you are familiar with Ticare ( Military Benefits..dental and health). I'm sure you are, however. Tricare is just that.for Military personnel ONLY!! I've looked at other plans ( on the 'civilain side') I haven't found ANYTHING like Tricare at all. They pay for 100% of EVERYTHING.....50% of dentures ( if you need them). So..if somone needs alot of dental work and REALLY can't pay out of their pocket, then what do you suggest? ALOT of dentists will not let you make payments to them.
Actually alot of dentist will allow you to make payment arrangements, as long as your credit is decent and they prefer to setup the arrangements ahead of time.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 1:09 am Post subject: dental
I have ALOT of dental work to be done. My dentist does have Financing, however...I was denied because of my credit. The dentist 'evaluated' everything I needed ( dental wise) and it would be a VERY HIGH payment ( for me, anyway), to them, per month.
Well without a doubt Tricare is great coverage, IM not challenging that, Tricare is one of the best in the health insurance industry... Im arguing the fact that civilians should not pick up a private policy, its worthless...
As for Tricare its one of the best out there hands down. _________________ Ramiz A. Hakim
Independent Insurance Broker
5697 Charlesgate Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
866.497.4014 Office
206.203.4602 Fax
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: dental
OHH......I see. I din't mean to 'challange' your expertise on this subject, BROKER. I do know what you mean about OTHER Dental plans, however. For a while I think Tricare was for Active Duty only. Have you dealt with Tricare much? I'm VERY surprised some dentists, in my area WILL NOT take it.
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject: dental insurance
...also, I'm surprised to hear SOME of the dentists, in my area, said they won't take Tricare because they ahve had " bad experiences with insurances through the military." Never heard of that before.
You know Im really not that familiar with Tricare, I sell insurance to retired people, so I do come accross people with Tricare, they are usually happy with it. Very little out of pocket, small copays (if any), and little to no premium.
To my understanding Tricare is through Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Sheild, so its not a matter of government insurance its based on the Anthem Network. Try calling the Consumer Hotline on the Back of your card and see if there are any dentists in your area who are contracted.
Anthem has a pretty good name here in OH, and you should have a PPO, so realisticlly there is a "loose" network if you will. I find it strange that dentists wont accept it. _________________ Ramiz A. Hakim
Independent Insurance Broker
5697 Charlesgate Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
866.497.4014 Office
206.203.4602 Fax
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject: dental insurance
Well..........some dentists won't take it AT ALL, in my area. SOME will take it ONLY as a 'supplement' insurance (I pay 'up front' and Tricare pays me back). However......ALOT willtake it as 'regular' insurance ( they bill it DIRECTLY to Tricare). I don't know why some people won't accept it, either.
Sounds like a network problem, call Anthem and get a list of doctors in your area. _________________ Ramiz A. Hakim
Independent Insurance Broker
5697 Charlesgate Rd.
Huber Heights, OH 45424
866.497.4014 Office
206.203.4602 Fax
