Decisions, decisions! If you have been watching television recently, you have probably seen numerous ads from insurance brokers for Medicare Advantage and supplemental insurance plans. These advertisements appear every year at this time during the open enrollment period when Medicare recipients can opt to choose a new plan.
The advertisement’s primary focus is to inform consumers that various insurance providers offer additional benefits such as dental, eye care, and hearing, some at no cost depending on where you live. In addition, they offer their services to help you find a provider that gives you the most beneficial benefits.
My Choice for 2022
I did not use these services when I selected my current provider last year. Instead, I researched on my own and stayed with my existing provider, who was offering a policy that included $1,000 maximum dental coverage. It was the largest amount being offered for an advantage plan (at that time) with no monthly premiums and a wide selection of dentists and oral surgeons to choose from in the area where I live.
I have not had the need to use it until just recently. I needed some dental work and went to my insurance plans website to find some in-network general dentists and oral surgeons near me. I selected one with the best patient reviews and called for an appointment. The provider informed me that they only accept PPO insurance from my insurance provider and that I had HMO insurance. So, I called several more dentists in the area with the same results. I needed to find a dentist in my area that accepted my insurance, so I called my insurance provider and told them the problem that I was having.
Trying to Find an Answer
The agent that I spoke to was with a company contracted with my insurance provider to help patients find dental or medical care providers. They contacted several dentists in my area and got the same response that I did (they only accept PPOs, and I had an HMO). At that point, I asked to speak to a supervisor. I related my story and my confusion over the fact that all the dentists contacted were listed in the in-network provider directory but would not accept my insurance because it was an HMO, not a PPO. The supervisor told me that while my medical insurance was an HMO, my dental insurance was a PPO.
I returned to the list and started calling the dentists I had called previously. Unfortunately, when I related my conversation with the insurance company regarding the PPO to them, I was told that my plan was a Medicare Advantage plan and they do not accept any Medicare plans. At this point, I was highly frustrated and felt like I was lured into an insurance plan that offered dental benefits, but they really didn’t. Because the dentists listed as providers in the directory did not accept any Medicare-related Insurance. To me, this is hugely misleading. It should be noted somehow in the provider directory so that you are aware of it when making your decision on which plan to choose.
Buyer Be Aware!
I am still trying to resolve this situation, but in the interim will have to pay for dental treatment out of pocket. Seeing these advertisements on television made me realize that before choosing between insurance providers, you need to be aware and ensure that the care providers listed by the insurance company will accept Medicare-based coverage.
