Health Insurance = HELL

I have had it! My first major rant, and I apologize. Anyone who has tried to deal with health insurance and has had a good experience, please let me know, cause I don’t believe it is actually possible.

Wisdom teeth – impacted, need to come out. So my Dr. looks at the xray and lo and behold they are sitting on top of the nerve, so a risky surgery. He writes a prescription for a 3-D CT scan of my jaw to determine the location of the nerve to the root of the impacted teeth.

Day 1 – I call my insurance to find out if it’s covered. Yes, just call the radiology scheduling line. So I do, read the prescription to the insurance person and the radiology office person while on a 3-way call, and schedule an appointment.

Day 2 – show up for my appointment. Fill out paperwork. Am told by the person at the reception that I was put down for a sinus scan, and I need a dental scan so they can’t take me that day, and I would have to pay upfront. Urrggghhh. I leave.

Day 3 – Call radiology scheduling line to reschedule. Tell them I need a dental scan and I read the prescription at least 2 times to the insurance person and the radiology office person, and explain that I already made one trip, but there was an error. At that point they inform me dental scans are not always covered – I might have to pay upfront, but check with my insurance. So I do. And yes the dental scan is covered and no, I should not have to pay up front. I confirm 3 times with her.

Day 4 – Arrive back for my appointment. Fill out paperwork again. Am told that I have to pay upfront ($650 by the way). I say my insurance told me I don’t. We argue, I get bitchy and almost leave, but then realize I just need to do it and I’ll fight with the insurance company later. I go back for the scan. This time the technician says I need a mandible scan, not a dental scan and she calls my Dr. I get a mandible scan. Does not need to be paid in advance. I leave and get a refund of $650. Front desk apologizes. I’m in no mood.

At this point I think I’m done, but NO.

Day 5 – I get a call from my Dr. Turns out when they spoke to the technician, they explained that the mandible scan would not show what they need to see, and that I need a dental scan. So turns out, they gave me a scan I didn’t need, and won’t serve the purpose that the Dr. prescribed. Great – let’s see insurance cover that one.

So now, I need to get a new prescription, make a new appointment and confirm that I’ll have it all covered. It’s a good think that I’m not in need of severe medical care, cause if this is what it takes to get wisdom teeth out, god help those who are in real heath problems.