So ok, I am a little bitter right now. I Can't help it. As many of us meaning Americans in general are all struggling to make ends meet with all the costs of living going up like gas, food, electricity bills, and the list could go on forever.
However,I am here to discuss our medical/dental coverage or shall we say what little coverage we get when it comes down to it.
I have had a fear of dentist since I was a little girl. To the point of vomiting and having panic attacks about going to one. Don't know why but I do. SO months ago I broke the back of one of my teeth toward the back next to the molars. Well about 1 month ago some pain started inter fearing with me to the point that now a month later the pain is so bad and horrible that I have been brought to tears and not been able to sleep or eat or drink anything cold or hot for the pain rockets threw and up the side of my head, jaw and neck and now my other teeth are hurting.
Yes, I know I should have gone to the dentist but as the dentist put it to me yesterday was" he had no idea how I went with this type of pain for so long. The strongest man would have buckled and wept like a girl with this type of pain." So now I am in horrible pain. I tell everyone I would rather give birth with no drugs then to have this pain I am experiencing! Come to find out not only do I have a cavity in the place were my tooth broke a really bad infection that has spread to the roots and nerves in 4 teeth including molars and the infection is spreading as is the cavity. Plus a nerve is exposed and were its exposed puss is present as he put it. Fun for me. Well, after x-ray's and some tests the dentist determines I need 4 root canals, and crowns and the infection needs to be drained and I will need antibiotics for about a month and of course some pain pills to help me.
So now I am escorted to the financing department were I am told that my dental insurance will only cover $1500 and I am capped out for the year till Feb 09'. That's not even the kicker of it all. Its going to cost me $3000 to get everything fixed out of my own pocket! I don't qualify for financing for the amount needed so they ask me "Mrs. Pearson do you think by tomorrow when we can schedule you and get it all done in one day come up with the money to pay for the treatment?" First off anyone who can just wip out $3 grand has all my props but with our limited income that was a joke and I told her so. She then suggested that maybe if in a couple of days I could pay half and then at my next appt. a couple days later pay the other half. Ok, what part of we have no money did you not understand? What part of unless you have a payment plan for poor people like myself who don't want to look like trailer trash by having 4 teeth pooled out because it was the cheapest way to go don't you understand. Well then the Dr. comes in and is arguing with me about how important it is to get control of the infection and stop it from spreading and getting the teeth work done.( He says this like I don't know by the way.) Again, I have to lay it all out there for him, what Chris brings home and our money problems for him to say this to me can't someone help you get the money you need? People with money, I swear have no idea what being poor is or what the term there is NO money to pay you means! So now they want me to get a co signer for some help from a family or friend if at all possible. Ok, NO! again. SO here I am in horrible pain because I can't pay to get my teeth fixed! I will give the dentist a pat on the back for at least writing me prescriptions for antibiotics and some pain pills which are not working by the way. along with high pain tolerance I also have a high tolerance for pain pills, go figure my luck! I am so angry about this. Can you tell?. They promote healthy teeth etc... as long as you have money! If you don't, sorry here's the door come back when you can pay your co pay of $3000 and then we will help you and get you out of pain. So Chris went and got all the xrays and stuff from the dentist and took them out to the base dental clinic to see if they wouldn't take on my case. They only see dependents on a case by case basis or when they have newbies who need practice! Nice huh! Once we did this they informed Chris that it could take 2-3 months for a decision! Ok, I might have a high pain tolerance and that is why I have made it this far but my pain level is weaking big time and I am just so upset because there is truly nothing we can do about it unless we come up with a tree that grows money on it to get my teeth fixed. Yet again, I am reminded that we are in a election year with a guy running for president who plans to cut more of our militarys benefits. Hell, we barely have any, anyway and we all live below poverty levels as it is and struggle to put food on the table and gas in the tank and roof over our heads and keep bills paid. Unfortunately some of that is not happening for us very well in todays economy. We know so many military families who are hurting really bad right now with the high cost of even the basics. You pray everyday that nothing else happens because you don't know how you will cover the cost. No one should have to live like this, especially those who fight and serve our country. So many spouse's left behind while their husbands or wifes serve in Iraq are living in very poor conditions. Something is wrong with that picture people. We should be able to have good benefits and make more money or earn a cost of living allowance no matter were you live. Ok, I am done for now venting. I now have to go apply more Ambesol, and Orajel to my mouth to try to numb the some of my pain and drink with a straw on one side of my mouth so the pain doesn't shoot thru and live with my pain till we figure out someway to get the money or someone like a dentist or medical professionals lower their costs or takes the effort to help out and take payment plans. Ok, I know I am dreaming but goodness, were is the good will toward man at? Were is that helping hand when you need it? Well its not in our home thats for sure.Have a great day!
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