Ever wonder why poor folks have no teeth?
You're kidding, yes?
I had an appointment today at the dental clinic of Highland Hospital, the medi-cal provider for folks without health insurance.
I was told by a doctor that I should be so grateful I qualify for medi-cal, for there are tons of families and individuals that make too much money to qualify, and are left without insurance.
My medi-cal appointment demanded that I be at the clinic one hour before my scheduled appointment.This is an appointment that I waited 3 1/2 months for!
Okay. We all know that poor folks time is not as valuable as rich folks time, so I get there an hour early to get registered and then sit and wait for my appointment.
I wait with the understanding that Highland is our county emergency hospital, so if there are any emergencies - including and probably especially people brought in from jail - I will have to wait, no matter what time my appointment is scheduled for.
Usually, I have waited up to 4 or 5 hours - that's WITH an appointment. Today, I get taken back to the exam room actually 5 minutes early!
When I see the dentist, I'm told that he can only do and/or fix one thing for me per appointment - then I have to wait another 3-4 months for the next appointment.
And I am told medi-cal does not pay for anything but extractions!
Medi-cal will not pay for fillings, cleanings, x-rays (except for extractions).
Okay. I have 2 cavities. At least one needs a root canal. HA! The dentist seems bitter medi-cal will not pay for root canals as he informs me that the hospital will generously cover half the cost, leaving me with a bill of only $2,325.00.
Does this mean that he is willing to do the root canal for half price? Wow, how do people get cavities filled, let alone root canals???
No wonder poor folks have no teeth, thanks to our wonderful 'insurance' medi-cal!
I had an appointment today at the dental clinic of Highland Hospital, the medi-cal provider for folks without health insurance.
I was told by a doctor that I should be so grateful I qualify for medi-cal, for there are tons of families and individuals that make too much money to qualify, and are left without insurance.
My medi-cal appointment demanded that I be at the clinic one hour before my scheduled appointment.This is an appointment that I waited 3 1/2 months for!
Okay. We all know that poor folks time is not as valuable as rich folks time, so I get there an hour early to get registered and then sit and wait for my appointment.
I wait with the understanding that Highland is our county emergency hospital, so if there are any emergencies - including and probably especially people brought in from jail - I will have to wait, no matter what time my appointment is scheduled for.
Usually, I have waited up to 4 or 5 hours - that's WITH an appointment. Today, I get taken back to the exam room actually 5 minutes early!
When I see the dentist, I'm told that he can only do and/or fix one thing for me per appointment - then I have to wait another 3-4 months for the next appointment.
And I am told medi-cal does not pay for anything but extractions!
Medi-cal will not pay for fillings, cleanings, x-rays (except for extractions).
Okay. I have 2 cavities. At least one needs a root canal. HA! The dentist seems bitter medi-cal will not pay for root canals as he informs me that the hospital will generously cover half the cost, leaving me with a bill of only $2,325.00.
Does this mean that he is willing to do the root canal for half price? Wow, how do people get cavities filled, let alone root canals???
No wonder poor folks have no teeth, thanks to our wonderful 'insurance' medi-cal!
posted by Xan @ 6:40 PM
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