I went in today to ask about getting a nightguard and asked how much it was going to be. She looked at my insurance papers, and said "Well, your insurance would cover 50%, but it would be really expensive. Instead, we charge you on a 'fee schedule.' It would be $450."
First off, that's $200 more than it cost me to get a nightguard in a state known for being extremely expensive, less than 3 years ago. I didn't have insurance then.
Second, if they WERE following what my insurance covers, then that would mean it costs $900 without insurance. I am EXTREMELY doubtful that a little bit of molded plastic costs that much.
She says that if I had a PPO, they'd be charging me almost nothing, because the PPO "actually pays us." However, the reason I got the DMO was because the coverage (so long as you went to an in-network dentist) was supposed to be way better, according to the papers (better coverage, lower deductible, and no max on benefits).
I already had her give me a tooth cleaning. It was $200 for a "deep cleaning." I used to pay $200 without insurance for the same cleaning, but it included the cost of X-rays too. This one did not.
