Dental Insurance - under 65 years old

[grantmnc]

Hello all. We are full timers and retired. We are both under 65 and are looking at dental coverage options. We are Florida "residents" but have our home base on Hilton Head. When we look at the Florida Dental plans I cannot find one that covers dentists in our area. Our teeth are in pretty good shape, so I am thinking we may just pay as we go. I've seen others on this forum suggest this as an alternative. Obviously, it's a bit of a gamble in case of a large issue.


I would appreciate any thoughts or experience.



Thanks

[TandW]

South Carolina will find out if you are claiming Florida residency. AWTTW.
As far as dental coverage goes you should check with your dental insurance provider for in network dental facilities. If none are available be more proactive with your dental care.

[DerekF]

Originally Posted by grantmnc

Hello all. We are full timers and retired. We are both under 65 and are looking at dental coverage options. We are Florida "residents" but have our home base on Hilton Head. When we look at the Florida Dental plans I cannot find one that covers dentists in our area. Our teeth are in pretty good shape, so I am thinking we may just pay as we go. I've seen others on this forum suggest this as an alternative. Obviously, it's a bit of a gamble in case of a large issue.


I would appreciate any thoughts or experience.



Thanks

I retired before 65 our dentist suggested Dental Plans. Not insurance but saves money. I think they have dentist throughout the country
HTH

[Unplanned Tourist]

There's people under 65 on this forum?

Of all the insurance plans we have or do not have, dental seems to be a 50/50 chance. We opted out, and probably should not have, but time will tell if we catch up. Younger people are a little more conscious about their smile than a lot of us older generation.

[Bigceasar]

Adding up the premiums plus the co-pays and all the procedures not covered I have never found a dental insurance plan that was any more than paying now for something you may or may not need later. I pay using my HSA as dental needs arise and should I need major work I would fly to Yuma and cross the Mexican border and use one of the multitude of excellent providers there. It would not only save me 50%+ over US care it would double as a vacation. Plus all the work would be done in hours or at the most a few days , not stretched over months like dental care in the US seems to be.

[twogypsies]

If you're on Medicare get a Medicare Advantage plan which includes dental for cleanings.

or....

Go to one of the very popular Mexican border towns from Texas or Arizona and you can get excellent dental procedures done for a lot less cost than in the U.S. They are extremely clean and up-to-date on techniques. Do a post or do a search to find past posts on the subject. Many RVers do it and many who live in the U.S. do it. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. You park on the U.S. side and walk over to the Mexican side... Algodonas, Yuma, Nogales, AZ and Progresso near Mission, TX are all very popular with RVers and others.

[gatorb8]

brushing teeth 3 times a day is great inexpensive insurance!

[lonfu]

go to Los Algodones Mexico for dental work... one of the tricks learned from full timing... they claim there are 350 dentists in town and many eye glass places too.

[gbrash]

Originally Posted by lonfu

go to Los Algodones Mexico for dental work... one of the tricks learned from full timing... they claim there are 350 dentists in town and many eye glass places too.

I retired at 62 and though now our Medicare Advantage program will take care of most of our dental and pharmacy needs, we’ve used Los Algodones for years for both and were entirely satisfied with the results.

[lonfu]

Originally Posted by gbrash

I retired at 62 and though now our Medicare Advantage program will take care of most of our dental and pharmacy needs, we’ve used Los Algodones for years for both and were entirely satisfied with the results.

I signed up for Delta dental through Medicare. Cost was reasonable enough. Needed a couple of root canals and crowns on rear teeth. went to dentists in Cali and AZ. Cali wanted $9800. and AZ wanted $7800. after deductables it would have been $3700 or $3200. repectively. Got the same work done in Algondoes for $1400. with a better quality crown....

Wife needed a emergency crown and root canal. had to have it done in Kingman Az. $2600. for a resin crown. same thing in Algodones was $600. no insurance for her at the time and no time to travel... For $100. more could have had a zirconia crown in Algodones if we could have waited. Service here is terrible compared to Mexico. Dentists have concierge's that take care of everything for your visit. Vans to pick you up at hotels in Yuma, Az, move you between specialists and return you back to hotel.

Dentists in mexico used exactly the same modern equipment and quality products that they use here in the states. Met 2 Goverment employee's that were there to get work done as well, that one caught me off guard.

I'm pretty much done with the american dental system. I canceled my dental insurance.

life long friend needed a hip replacement, $45,000.00. He was a world traveler so he went to Thailand. cost $9500.... US health care is terrible overpriced.

Been to dentist enough times there to see thousands of folks crossing each day for care. They do an old style deep cleaning each time for $25. Here in the states they call it a "root planning" for $700.

[lonfu]

Originally Posted by gatorb8

brushing teeth 3 times a day is great inexpensive insurance!

Had no problems with my teeth until I had to take statin drug and blood pressure meds for a year. These drugs affected my teeth, all drugs have a side affect. save the heart and ruin the teeth or kill the patient???? Poo happens... some folks have no problem with the drugs, I did!

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by lonfu

life long friend needed a hip replacement, $45,000.00. He was a world traveler so he went to Thailand. cost $9500.... US health care is terrible overpriced.

I've had 3 replacements... 2 knees and a shoulder and paid -0- with a Medicare supplement.

[TandW]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I've had 3 replacements... 2 knees and a shoulder and paid -0- with a Medicare supplement.

Hooray for the home team!!!

[computerguy]

Only one comment on the FL vs SC "residency" thing in this thread? I'd be concerned about that more than dental insurance.
I hope you have your T's crossed and i's dotted on that.
One cannot just claim residency somewhere and have property elsewhere. Some states actually have subpoenaed cell records to prove where you really are living. Domicile is real and states are catching on and enforcing laws.
Best of luck to the OP.