Dental charges vs Health insurance
Posted by: mermaid
22nd Oct 2009 11:50pm
Dental Fees:
1. unlike Medicare, dental fees are not subsidised by the Federal Government and there is no recognised fee schedule.
Giving the green light to high fees.
2. fees have to be set by the dentist to take account of individual costs of practice which will vary in different practices.
3. as a general rule, a dentist pays out approximately 70% of all fees received in the overhead costs of running the practice.
4. Some dentists claim cutting these costs to lower the fees you pay there is a danger that the quality of your treatment may be compromised. However, not all dentists share the same view some charge low fees providing care of the highest quality.
Regular check-ups are a relatively inexpensive way to avoid higher costs.
The Australian Government Tax rebate applies even if you have no dental health insurance.
If you take out health insurance to cover dental fees, be well informed of what the health fund rebates based on it's own commercial requirements
All funds make profits for their shareholders and return a small rebate for their customers
5. Rebates payable on dental fees rarely, in many cases, cover more than 60% for common dental items and may cover less than one third the cost of complex and expensive procedures.
The health funds ceiling has over 20yrs not kept up with inflation. How much it will pay regardless of the amount of treatment you may need is less than $500 to $1500 per year.
6. Rebates offset costs for more expensive procedures but some arrangements may not always represent value for money for routine dentistry.
Overall, problems with private health insurance can be directed to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman to reach a satisfactory agreement with your fund. As with all Ombudsman offices they are an independent body formed to help resolve complaints and provide advice and information and available in every state.
1. unlike Medicare, dental fees are not subsidised by the Federal Government and there is no recognised fee schedule.
Giving the green light to high fees.
2. fees have to be set by the dentist to take account of individual costs of practice which will vary in different practices.
3. as a general rule, a dentist pays out approximately 70% of all fees received in the overhead costs of running the practice.
4. Some dentists claim cutting these costs to lower the fees you pay there is a danger that the quality of your treatment may be compromised. However, not all dentists share the same view some charge low fees providing care of the highest quality.
Regular check-ups are a relatively inexpensive way to avoid higher costs.
The Australian Government Tax rebate applies even if you have no dental health insurance.
If you take out health insurance to cover dental fees, be well informed of what the health fund rebates based on it's own commercial requirements
All funds make profits for their shareholders and return a small rebate for their customers
5. Rebates payable on dental fees rarely, in many cases, cover more than 60% for common dental items and may cover less than one third the cost of complex and expensive procedures.
The health funds ceiling has over 20yrs not kept up with inflation. How much it will pay regardless of the amount of treatment you may need is less than $500 to $1500 per year.
6. Rebates offset costs for more expensive procedures but some arrangements may not always represent value for money for routine dentistry.
Overall, problems with private health insurance can be directed to the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman to reach a satisfactory agreement with your fund. As with all Ombudsman offices they are an independent body formed to help resolve complaints and provide advice and information and available in every state.
You must be a member to reply to this chat topic. Click here to sign in.
Help Caféstudy members by responding to their questions, or ask your own in Café Chat, and you will get the chance of earning extra rewards. Caféstudy will match these and donate equally to our two chosen Australian charities.
Australian Marine Conservation Society are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of scientists, educators and passionate advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for over 50 years.
ReachOut is the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well. The information they offer parents makes it easier for them to help their teenagers, too.
Comments 5
Anonymous
In NZ medical insurance only pays for dental treatment that is done by a specialist i.e. oral surgeon, endodontist etc. All children 0 - 18 years are covered by the Ministry of Health Oral Health scheme, You do need to enrol your child with a dentist who is contracted to the MOH scheme.
JDK
Health insurance companies are greatly ineffective in refunds when large charges are involved and do not appear to represent value for hard earned money but are better than nothing. An official unbiased review would be welcomed
shell bell
not so much a replt but info for some folk... the local colleges have started taking guinea pigs, lol for their trainees to practice on free of charge, what a fantastic thing for the public and the students
Rainbowstar
Yes, this has been in effect for quite a number of years as I actually was one of those guinea pigs and my experience was quite good considering a trainee does the procedures although they are also have a qualified dental tech with them for support. So go ahead its a great way to save money on dental care.
Arch
I wish to advise that some people are eligible to receive Medicare payments for dental care.If you are a Diabetic see you doctor and he will process the paper work for the dentist. My bill was $1000.00
and I paid less than $400.00. I hope this will help because it is not commonly known.