dental and vision insurance

[old_guy]

I have dental and vision insurance through blue cross but when I went to use it last year they didn't pay any thing. so I',m in the market for good dental and vision insurance. I don't want to change Dr's and my vision Dr takes care of my diabetes and vision. any companies out there a that pay for my needs. who do you have and why. this open season is beyond my scope of things

[Lwiddis]

“Honestly, unless you have a significant issue....it's usually as cheap or cheaper just to pay the provider and drop the insurance.”

If you wish to roll the dice, Valhalla, be my guest. I choose to insure DW and myself.

[SidecarFlip]

We have BCBS Blu-Care Dental and eyecare, high option and they pay 95% of everything so long as your provider is in network.. We always check that beforehand.

[donn0128]

Old guy,
If your retired, consider jumping on Kaiser Permente. 44 dollars a month for medical suppliment and perscription coverage. As a retired they do offer eye coverage. But we find glasses cheaper thru Costco. Same for her hearing aids. Dental, we pay out of pocket. There really is no good dental coverage.

[ItsyRV]

garym114 wrote:
Most types of medical insurance have a set annual deductible that you must meet before they start paying their part. You may have good insurance when you compare it to other plans.

But unlike medical insurance, vision and dental often have a Maximum Benefit Amount. With medical insurance, once you hit your deductible and you hit the maximum out of pocket, they pay 100% of all covered expenses, be it another $50 or $500,000. With vision and dental, they may pay a percentage until you hit that max benefit amount. At that point you're cut off regardless of the need for dental or vision services.

As someone mentioned, many have found that using a company like Costco you end up paying less for everything out of your own pocket compared to what you would have paid for premiums and your share of cost had you used the vision insurance network eye care services. Further, many vision insurances are switching to providing eye-wear every two years. Sure they pay for some of the eye exam every year, but they wont pay for the eye-wear every year. Add another year of premiums versus self paying and vision insurance end up being a rip-off.

[garym114]

Most types of medical insurance have a set annual deductible that you must meet before they start paying their part. You may have good insurance when you compare it to other plans.

[CarnationSailor]

Been happy with Delta Dental and VSP for vision coverage. Both have saved us money over just paying for the care directly.

[bob213]

Costco Executive membership gives you access to CHEAP dental. Not sure what it covers but my FIL gets two cleanings and coverage thru Delta Dental for around $100 a year. I think they offer vision as well.

[garyemunson]

AARP has good and reasonable policies.

[valhalla360]

Honestly, unless you have a significant issue....it's usually as cheap or cheaper just to pay the provider and drop the insurance.

Think about it...if they cover an eye exam and glasses...they much charge enough to cover the eye exam, glasses, program processing plus a profit margin.

[ItsyRV]

Why didn't they pay? You need to fully understand why they are not paying a claim since yo may end up in the exact same boat with another carrier.

[Lwiddis]

So far so good with Blue Shield of California.