health insurance

Sorry to say, neither is covered very well or at all in most medical plans. We have relied on chain optical centers for lowest cost eye care. Dental coverage is astronomical for a policy that has a max payout of $1000 per year. We had a heart to heart with our dentist who was agreeable to a cash pay for annual exams at $50 and 20% off any other services as needed. Compared with a $3000 annual premium for dental plans, this monied out to way better. Don't be afraid to ask your dentist. It saves a lot of paperwork for him or her. Rates are not fixed in stone.

Forgot to mention that our dentist was our source of numerous plans for dental coverage. If you plan on continuing care with your current dentist, it would be wise to find out which plans he or she accepts. Sure wouldn't want to sign up for a plan that would force me to find a new dentist.

I agree with the poster above: Dental insurance seems to be a pretty marginal product. High deductibles, and low maximum benefits are a very poor combination.
I think doctors and dentists would be happy to take cash if you spoke to them up front.

Dental insurace has never been a good deal for me as I have 2 yearly cleanings. You mileage may vary.

Pay out of pocket for eye exams and glasses. about $300 every 2 years. You can find cheaper but I prefer the doctor I have. I didn't check on optical insurance. If it becomes a medical condition, Medicare will cover it.
Pay out of pocket for dental 2 cleanings per year about $100 each time. I put the money in the bank for those things. I checked into dental and it was too pricey for what I need. If you have major dental work ahead you might want to consider a plan but be prepared for high premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

If you have Fed Blue Cross you should be a retired Fed employee. Check the open season info there are several dental plans listed including Blue Cross now has one.

The vision plans are OK also

My Bluecross includes a vision package but not sure who the carrier is. I pay only bcbs. It also includes a very good dental plan from Delta Dental

I was going to suggest looking into Delta Dental. I don't know what you can get with them but they cover a lot and are reasonable. My dentist could have built a mansion on the money my family has spent on him over the last 6 or 7 years.

See if you can get VisionWorks (I think that's what it's called). I've heard they are very good.

Crowe wrote:
I was going to suggest looking into Delta Dental. I don't know what you can get with them but they cover a lot and are reasonable. My dentist could have built a mansion on the money my family has spent on him over the last 6 or 7 years.

See if you can get VisionWorks (I think that's what it's called). I've heard they are very good.

Here in Minnesota I get my Delta Policy through AAA auto club.

$857 year for the two of us, coverage is 1500 each or $3000 year

In our case the math works.

With GEHA a $5 copay for Optical Exams, and purchase our glasses through Zenni Optical. Zenni

Dentist,,,,,We go to Acuna, Mexico. Cheaper than poorly covered Dental policy, copays, deductibles, and our GEHA medical policy still reimbursed some costs.

Purchased 4 pairs of glasses over the last year from Zenni. Aviator Style Metal Frame Progressive, bifocal transition lenses, $110 including shipping.

Our Dentist in Acuna is outstanding and we won't go ANYWHERE else.
Dr. Talamantes