I've got 2 months to decide

[susandennis]

My Cobra stuff arrived today. (Cobra is a deal that is mandated. It's a continuation of the insurance you had through your employer after you are no longer working there. It's an option for you to continue insurance but this time on your own dime.) The company I worked for had excellent insurance so I'm not at all confused about whether or not to get the medical/visual at $250 a month. It's a good deal.

But, the dental... $50 a month. I just don't know. My teeth are in horrible shape. I am not going to do anything about them unless I have to. But have to kind of sneaks up on you. In early 2002 I broke a tooth and got it fixed. $500. I paid $187 out of pocket. Later that year I broke a tooth and they yanked it. $225. I paid $27 out of pocket. (I could find a cheaper dentist but this one puts up with me and that's worth a lot.)

New news: I just figured out that I can get dental insurance through the Microsoft Alum Association. It's basically the same coverage except $1,000 annual max instead of $2,000 that the Cobra one has and it's $36.65. So that throws yet another wrinkle into the mix. (Maybe what I really need is Insurance against Mixed Metaphors.)

I have two months to decide...

Comments

[legalmoose]

Ah, Cobra. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of whenever. :) (yes, I am a geeky appropriations law attorney)

[susandennis]

Holey crap, all this on the fly from a guy who's balls can't stay put. I'm more than impressed. I just finished reading about registering your domestic dog... I'm in line to hear what happens...

[jawnbc]

Get your teeth done in BC--at least half the prices you're quoting--and then the exchange rate lowers it another 20%.

Dental

[(Anonymous)]

Dental's a tricky one. We opted for the COBRA figuring we'd get everyone's checkups done, then drop the coverage and skip a checkup if necessary. Our dentist has a two rates, and the uninsured one is higher. The family checkups worked out the first quarter of the year: me ($255), kids ($171 x 2). I just had a 25 year old filling replaced, though the insurance covers a scandalously small portion of this. (Fee $244, they covered $100.80, but I did get nitrous out of it.) jim c