EL PASO – When the pain from my wisdom teeth became unbearable my mother took me to the dentist who he told me I had to see a surgeon to get an extraction. I went to the consultation expecting a quick solution to my agony, but to my surprise, I am still suffering from this pain because I don’t have dental insurance or the money to cover the $20,000 bill.
Health care is a necessity in order to function in this society. That is why the Universal Health Care Reform law now waiting for a pass or fail grade from the U.S. Supreme Court is such an important part of President Obama’s legislative agenda.
My personal situation is a good example of the need for this law. With the reform of health care, people who need medical treatment will receive it without having to go through similar hassles.
What is happening to me is very ironic.
I had dental insurance under my mother’s policy but when I turned 25 the premium went from $320 to almost $500 dollars per month, almost a car payment just to have the coverage. I never had problems until I was without the dental insurance. To make my situation a lot more twisted I have Medicaid but it does not cover dental work. I believe this situation is very wrong and I am sure that a lot of people in this country are in the same situation or a lot worse.
In the medical program that provides me with a caretaker and other services for other medical problems, I have a social worker assigned to my case. She has been trying to get the approval from the state so that I can use some of the funds allocated to my case to pay for my dental procedure.
The process started back in September of last year and last month I was notified that all the paperwork required for approval was sent to the state. All I had to do was wait and that is what I have been doing. In the meantime, the pain comes and goes.
I take painkillers and sometimes I have so much pain that I am not even thinking straight. The pain also kills my appetite. I do not want to eat because I do not want to aggravate the situation even more.
I have been patiently waiting for help, but I have to do something. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the state to approve the money but if not I have to find an alternative route. My situation changed and I have to get all the wisdom teeth extracted at once. It is going to be a delicate procedure and I have to go the hospital to undergo surgery under general anesthesia and this costs a lot.
I have gone through worst things in my life but at that time I had the medical cost covered so that was not a major concern. Now I think about others who do not have medical insurance and need medical attention. This situation is very frustrating because you as a patient also have to deal with the emotional and physical strains of an illness.
We live in a powerful country that provides a lot of opportunities for people to realize their dreams. I don’t understand how the politicians in this country do not take action and do something to provide universal health care regardless of the financial situation of the people.
I had the exact same problem as you. The only solution I can recommend is to go to Canada like I did, and have the procedure done for around three hundred dollars.
The amount of stupidity that revolves around American health insurance, the simple fact that people really are -dying- for profits, astounds me. It will never be resolved until there is universal public healthcare.
The real problem is that the $300 procedure costs $20,000. Our healthcare costs are too high because: they are too high.
So go to Mexico to get this work done – cheap and quality services. Another possibility, which you’ve already blown, is to take care of your teeth and your financial affairs.
Search on the web “Penny Health” if you have a condition such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, cancer, depression or have had an injury, like a broken leg and need health Insurance NOW.
Soria seems to be unaware that dental benefits are not included in HCR. Nor does she seem to know that regular dental insurance does not always cover wisdom tooth extraction.
http://neoneocon.com/2012/06/18/scotus-and-hcr-thinking-it-over/