Good News and Bad News at the Dentist

So I found a new dentist for the kids. They all went in for their cleaning and xrays. I did my part and sent all my insurance info up front, 3 weeks before the visit. All looked good.

We showed up. They cleaned. They took xrays. No cavities. Grant might not even need braces! They think that once his adult eye teeth come in, they might push the front top teeth together and close the gap. Other than the gap his teeth are nice and straight.

The bad news: My bill was $452!!! After they picked me up off the floor, I paid it, then passed out again. Okay not really. But I paid it. Here's the thing, I have never had to pay anything for the dentist. Nothing. We get full coverage for preventative care. She showed me what they charged and what was covered, etc. Today I finally got around to calling the insurance company. Turns out this dentist is out of network for us. GEE, thanks for telling me, people! Why the hell would I see you and PAY HUNDREDS for something I can get for FREE???!?! You are not all that!!!

Of course I begrudgingly have to take partial blame because I didn't ask if they were in my network, but I have had providers tell me in the past that they weren't, and this group was very organized about getting all my insurance information 3 weeks before the visit so I guess I thought they would alert me that they were not network providers if they weren't. It honestly did not even occur to me to ask. A very costly mistake indeed. Right on top of Jason's Christmas bonus coming in at less than half of what his boss told him last week that it would be. I guess I am just feeling a little burned by that. Don't lie to him. So between those two items, we can subtract a big fat $2500 out of what I thought would be in our bank account right now. For the move and our big upcoming trip to Ohio next week. Crap.

Anyway, I got our Christmas shopping done so that is a plus. As long as the van doesn't crap out on the trip.

Ho ho ho!