No dental and vision coverage: What would you do?

[sniffles]

Honestly, at our age (I'm twenty-six) I really don't think vision and dental are that big of a deal. I've only used my dental twice, for a yearly cleaning, and I don't take care of my teeth nearly as well as you do. So honestly, not having actually looked at your teeth, I think you're probably fine without it. Just don't let them hit you in the face.

Vision is okay, but it depends on how often your prescription is changing. If cost is very much an issue, keep in mind that you do have your glasses, and they don't get worn out nearly as much as your contacts. If your prescription isn't changing from check-up to check-up, I would personally just keep the glasses.

Everyone that said shop around is absolutely right, but also make sure to get recommendations. Getting something cheaper doesn't always work out as well. I actually recommend avoiding the chain-dentists, but I recommend the opposite for vision. Also, check with your union, they may have some options and probably have experience with this.

Never assume that just because your teeth seem okay now that you don't need to have dental insurance if you can afford it. Several years ago I managed to fall and break a tooth, and I was certainly glad for my dental insurance then!

Vision insurance also comes in very handy. It can help take care of broken glasses or lost contact lenses as well as eye exams and new prescriptions. Your vision can change at any time; it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your age.

ssampier, if your new employer has a disability insurance plan I would recommend you sign up for that too, even if you have to pay for it yourself. Statistics show that 1 in 5 people will have a disability (meaning an illness or injury that puts them off work longer than a week or two) at some time in their lives. I can attest to the accuracy of that, too; I was on disability myself for a year, and I've known several other people who've been disabled for long periods.

 

[ssampier]

*nods* I know about disabilities. My father was in a massive car accident in high school and changed our lives irreversibly.

The insurance was $13 or $14 a month, but the district pays half (you pay 6 months, they pay the 6 months).

 

[Harmon]

You are young in good health. Check the prices then consider that it will be more expensive in five years and that if you don't take care of yourself it will really hurt, but at the same time consider that you could just save a hundred bucks a month (for uninsurred medical use) and have 1200 in a year, that should take care of all the little medical things, if not nice savings. Keep saving until you need it. Hopefully you will get coverage through your work, but consider that you might not and if you do it will cancel at retirement (most places).

I'd say get the insurrance for a few months get new glasses, and all your dental work done, then dump the policy and start saving for the next time you need that work done.

 

[ssampier]

You are young in good health. Check the prices then consider that it will be more expensive in five years and that if you don't take care of yourself it will really hurt, but at the same time consider that you could just save a hundred bucks a month (for uninsurred medical use) and have 1200 in a year, that should take care of all the little medical things, if not nice savings. Keep saving until you need it. Hopefully you will get coverage through your work, but consider that you might not and if you do it will cancel at retirement (most places).

I'd say get the insurrance for a few months get new glasses, and all your dental work done, then dump the policy and start saving for the next time you need that work done.

That's okay advice. The trick people (the people I know anyway) are not that dedicated. They will keep it up for a few months, until they see the speedboat, ATV or RV they want.

I think the Health Saving Account is a good idea and has a built-in protection in case of major catastrophe, plus the main saving account for incidentials (tax-free).

 

[Bront]

A dental checkup visit is actualy often cheeper than insurance, and even just 1 filling won't put you out too much (usually $50 and maybe $150 at most), so minor dental stuff without coverage isn't that big a deal. Just do it yourself.

I only got Dental because I knew I needed it, and now that I'm not single, the risk is much higher of needing it for the wife. If I do the 2 checkups, I only loose out a little bit, and if I need work, I'm up a little bit, but it's not huge.

 

[ssampier]

That's not bad - I am glad I do have (limited) dental insurance. The flex-spending should help out.

I am sure I need more than a few fillings.

 

[paulsometimes]

I was in a similar position a few years ago. So to get myself 100% coverage on everything, I joined the Air Force. I'm not suggesting you do the same, especially as it looks like you've found some way to take care of it all. I was just pointing out how I handled the situation

 

[Harmon]

I think the Health Saving Account is a good idea and has a built-in protection in case of major catastrophe, plus the main saving account for incidentials (tax-free).

My wife's work has the HSA thing, you put in like $1200 over the course of the year, what you don't use they keep and you can't cash it out. Its not tax free in most cases, they hit you for it April 15th for that income- least my wife's plan does, not sure about the rest of the world.

Peace to all.

 

[ssampier]

My wife's work has the HSA thing, you put in like $1200 over the course of the year, what you don't use they keep and you can't cash it out. Its not tax free in most cases, they hit you for it April 15th for that income- least my wife's plan does, not sure about the rest of the world.

Peace to all.

It should be pre-tax.

Straight from the horses's mouth:

http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/faq_basics.shtml

What you describe sounds more like a flex-spending, but that's still pre-tax dollars. I am confused.