This Conversation Seems Like A Dream

Monday blues.

So, this morning, I went to a new dentist. I thought it would be something easy--the temporary crown I have on the lower right side is loose, can you please replace it today, I'm getting married in a few weeks and I really don't want it to pop off while I'm gone. Simple, right?

But no. Instead, as for all new patients, it's a full exam and full set of x-rays, even though they already had the full set of x-rays from my original dentist. Those were deemed too old to use.

So, he poked and prodded and looked at the x-rays, and actually, except for the two problems that Dr. Hanson didn't fix, there's nothing wrong with my mouth. Yay. Unfortunately, the two problems that Dr. Hanson didn't fix involve a permanent crown for the tooth that's got a temporary, and another crown for a tooth I have yet to get the root canal done for. Owie, those are expensive.

The dentist works out a treatment plan with me, all that good stuff, all's well. Mind you, even though I asked, he doesn't replace the temporary crown. Monday Issue Number One.

Then comes the finance lady. In spite of the fact that I have dental insurance, they're going to require that I make payment in full up front, to the tune of about $4750. No, they can't bill my insurance first, and no, I can't make payments. One lump sum before any work is done. Monday Issue Number Two.

So, the dentist gave me a referral to an endo to get the last of the root canals done. I called the endo to make an appointment, and--hey, guess what, they won't bill the insurance first, either. They'll be happy to take my payment in full, and have the insurance send *me* a check, but they will not see me without a payment, which ranges anywhere from $950 to $1150. Monday Issue Number Three.

Just as I'm getting ready to rant about this here--I mean, come on, I have insurance, what the fuck is up with a) the 'let's assream the patient for every bit of money we possibly can,' and b) what the fuck is up with the 'your total for treatment will be $4750, would you like to pay for that with credit card, or a check?' I don't get that--Jole (a co-worker) comes up to me and informs me that, distracted while waving to another co-worker who was leaving, he has backed into my car. Monday Issue Number Four.

Damage? Minimal, seriously. Maybe a two inch bit of the bumper on the back right that's scuffed. Maybe not even worth painting over, unless he's scraped to the metal, and don't these Camrys have plastic bumpers anyway? But seriously, holy crap. Is the universe against me today?

I think it's time to go home with some chocolate ice cream, a movie, and a book that's going to make me all weepy, just so I can get it out of my damn system, already.

Posted by Liz at August 18, 2003 02:42 PM