Conference 7.286::digital

    Guess it depends on what you mean by improvement.
    
    Yes, today's RC rates do not reflect rates charged by dentists 
    in the real world
    
    BUT
    
    to pay for the new RC rates, the benefits package I saw said 
    our cost would increase. 
    
    (Now, I can't remember if the package said it would increase 
    $3.50 or increase to $3.50, so let me use the best case.)
    
    If the cost for family coverage is $3.50 per week, that's $182/year.
    
    For each visit during the last few years, I have paid $7 above
    the RC. For a family of 3, that means I pay the dentist $42 yearly.
    
    The twice yearly visits cost $22, so if I did not have insurance I 
    would pay $132.
    
    Now I have to pay $182/year for something that costs $132? 
    
    Is Digital contributing to the cost of dental benefits? How much?
    If the RC covers the dentist charges, John Hancock realizes $50
    from my contribution, more if the RC does not cover the total charge.
    
    Not an improvement for my family finances ;-(

re .1 That is the basic definition of insurance.  Those that pay more in 
insurance than what is spent cover those that spend more than what they 
pay.  If you believe you will always spend less than the insurance cost 
then don't get the insurance (if that can be done).

    -.1
    
    Who's your dentist??  I pay about $24.00 over the R&C rates for a
    cleaning and check up visit - per person!  That doesn't include x-rays.
    With 6 in my household, I'm trilled to see that the R&C rates will 
    improve, even for a few dollars more a week.  
    
    For my family, it's about time....
    
    Now, I wonder if they've increased the amount paid on braces??

re: .1

>    Now I have to pay $182/year for something that costs $132? 
.
.
.    
>    Not an improvement for my family finances ;-(

  I have to disagree with you.  Insurance is not a product or a service; it's
a bet.  The insurance company bets that I'll stay healthy and I bet that I'm 
going to have expenses that exceed my premium (life insurance is a little more
interesting).  One abcess and crown will easily put you ahead.  You're lucky 
that your family only needs normal maintenance, but chances are, you will 
eventually need major demolition.  That's when you reap the value of the 
insurance.

  To look at it in a different light -- I'm throwing car insurance down the 
tubes every month -- I don't get anything for it, but I'm sure glad I have it 
to protect my family's financial health.  One major wreck and lawsuit is all 
it would take.

				SQ

The current R&C rates were set in 1987 - they are long overdue for an update.
The family coverage is going from $2.25/week to $3.50/week, an increase of
$65.00/yr.  If the new R&C rates are really up to date, I'll recover that in
just one dental visit.

					Steve

    $22? Geez, I didn't think that ANY doctor or dentist would even let you
    sit in the waiting room and read the magazines for that price! You've
    got a bargain basement deal there.
    
    In the last year or so, I've had to have one root canal and two
    crowns. What a quick way to kiss $1,500 goodbye! Now they want to pull
    all 4 of my wisdom teeth. So as of Jan 1, I'll up my HCRA to the max to
    help defray some of the costs, then schedule an appointment to have 'em
    yanked. :-(
    
    Harry
    

In making this decision to stay in the family dental plan even
though it is going to cost me a little more...

 ** I would like to see what we are buying... **

I have been unsuccessful so far in trying to obtain what

	o the current R&C schedule is
	o what the new 1996 R&C schedule will be

I can do the delta on my typical services and then evaluate it.

Who's to say if the '1996 R&C schedule' really reflects 1996 costs? 

    I called John Hancock to see if the ortho lifetime max was increased.
    Answer: "No" :^(

Re: -.1

I suppose that they don't believe that orthodontic(sp) costs didn't
go up over the last 10 years .....

yea sureeeee

    re: .6
    
    > In the last year or so, I've had to have one root canal and two
>     crowns. What a quick way to kiss $1,500 goodbye! Now they want to pull
>     all 4 of my wisdom teeth. So as of Jan 1, I'll up my HCRA to the max to
>     help defray some of the costs, then schedule an appointment to have 'em
>     yanked. :-(
    
    When I had my wisdom teeth extracted (a couple of years ago) they 
    charged some to my dental plan, and the rest to my medical plan - I
    ended up paying nothing (at least - nobody ever sent me a bill).
    The oral surgeon suggested this approach - and it suited me just fine.
    
    colin

    
    - .10
    
    wish my surgeon had suggested that!
    the surgery cost me $600+ out of pocket (basically
    JC covered about 40%!) - this was the bay area R&C rate!!!
    
    I also need cleaning ideally once/qtr - no way JC covers those!
    Even for one I pay out of pocket since JC prices are based
    on IOWA prices!
    

    Well, when I expessed my desire to see this information and was told I
    couldn't they finally referred me to Paul Cornelius @MSO.  I have sent
    in a memo and am waiting for a response.
    
    My concern is not that the rates are going up, although I would like to
    know what is R+C today and how that will change after the first of the
    year.....I just have a problem with someone telling me that they are
    honoring a rate, but they won't tell me what that rate is.  It's like
    going to a mechanic for an estimate and they say they'll charge you
    what ever is reasonable and customary....wouldn't you want to know what
    that is?
    
    Roberta

You can have your dentist submit a request for "pre-approval" of a procedure
and JH will tell them what the R&C is.  The big problem is for people trying
to set up their HCRA amounts for next year - without knowing how close to
"real" the '96 R&C numbers are, there's no way to properly determine this
number.

					Steve

Of the "Reasonable and Customary" part of the reimburse-
ment, Hancock has really only been providing the "Custo-
mary" part - it's been their custom to pay about 50% of 
what my dentist charges.   Of course, any improvement
is an improvement, but I'd like to see what they think
are "Reasonable".   I'm really tired of getting hosed by this
insurance which doesn't insure much.

With no other choice.....

    My dentist offers an "insurance" for $80 that has better covererage
    than what we have. The catch is that is is only available to those
    that don't have a dental plan offered by their employer.
    
    Deb

    Well, a very kind lady named Patty Haugh called me from John Hancock
    and gave me all the information I needed.  I asked for a number that 
    I could give my fellow coworkers who had questions and she told me 
    to have them call 1-800-332-2060 and that whoever answers the phone
    would be able to provide some answers.  She did want me to note that
    the reasonable and customary charges "rates" that they have right now
    are for 1995, the new rates will be available 1/1/96 and they MAY be
    higher.  You do need the area code of your dentist to receive accurate
    information.
    
    Roberta

    Of course, basing the rates on the area code of your dentist means that
    you and your spouse can be reimbursed differently for the same
    procedures, even if the two dentist charge the same amount.  My spouse
    and I got to different dentists because we each continue to go to the
    dentist we went to before we got married.  It would be better to base
    the payment on where you live rather than where your dentist does
    business. 
    
                                            August G. Reinig

re .17

>    Of course, basing the rates on the area code of your dentist means that
>    you and your spouse can be reimbursed differently for the same
>    procedures, even if the two dentist charge the same amount.  My spouse
>    and I got to different dentists because we each continue to go to the
>    dentist we went to before we got married.  It would be better to base
>    the payment on where you live rather than where your dentist does
>    business. 
    
The charges from the dentist should be based on the cost of doing business 
in the area where the dentist practices.  I don't see how where you live 
should have anything to do with it.  I'm not saying we have great dental 
insurance, but why should my premiums subsidize a dentist in an area that 
has lower R & C charges?

				SQ

    Why should my wife and myself be reimbursed differently for the same
    procedure done the same week by different dentist who charge the same
    amount but one happens to work in the town north of me and the other in
    the town south of me?  This has happened to me.  (Sort of makes it
    difficult to price shop.)
    
    Also, as my dentist says, he has to pay the same prices for dental
    equipment as everyone else, yet he is somehow supposed to charge less
    than dentists in other regions. 
    
                                            August

    In my last message, that should have said zip code, not area code....
    
    Sorry,
    Roberta

    Sometimes the way a service is billed will make
    a difference in the payment.  I'd compare billing.
    
    Dolores

    Same codes.

    Not dental specifically, but any medical signup for 1996.....
    
    The benefits bulletin describing changes came a couple of weeks ago,
    noting that our personalized statements should arrive by October 30th
    and to contact Benefits Express if you didn't receive one.
    
    Well, I haven't received mine. So I called Benefits Express. Turns out
    that because I originally came to the U.S. on temporary relocation the 
    "system" thought I was ineligible. (I've been a permanent resident and 
    permanent US employee for seven years now :-). One of those glitches in
    handing over to B.E., I guess.
    
    This affects anyone who came in on international transfer. B.E. is
    aware of the problem and will be sending out the personalized kits to
    those affected by this time next week. So you should still have a week
    in which to enroll before the 17th.
    
    All I want it for is the PIN so I can re-enroll in HCRA.....sigh.....
    
    - Richard.

>    All I want it for is the PIN so I can re-enroll in HCRA.....sigh.....

I think the PIN's the same as your SAVE PIN.

    yes but I couldn't find it so I thought "good, they're going to remind
    me of it just when I need it". 
    
    hmph.

re .19
    
>    Also, as my dentist says, he has to pay the same prices for dental
>    equipment as everyone else, yet he is somehow supposed to charge less
>    than dentists in other regions. 

 Ah, but the cost of dental equipment is not the total cost of doing business.
Rents/mortgages, taxes, salaries and service costs will vary from town to town 
and state to state.  Of course in the state of California with our really 
skewered property tax laws, the cost for a building will also vary widely 
with how long the dentist has been in practice in the same location.

				SQ

    
    >  (paraphrased)  But the cost of doing business varies from town to
    >    town
    
      And in all cases is higher than it was in 1987 when the rates
        were set...   
    
      IMHO,  the failure to keep up with inflation in general swamps out
        any 'local differences' in the reimbursement amounts.
    
    
    						-al
    

I think it was a WSJ article a couple of years ago that said that a lot
of "reasonable and customary" policies didn't have any data to back
them up and were basically a way for insurance companies to make
sure they didn't pay out more than they had planned.

    
    I would suggest that *if* the term "reasonable and customary" were
    used, then a list of doctors in my area who would accually DO the
    work for the "reasonable and customary" price be available!
    I really doubt that such a list does exist.
    

from someone who has a relative in the health care billing industry.....

"Reasonable and Customary" is just another way of saying "What the Market Will
Bear". 

Dave

    "Reasonable and customary" is a term that belongs to the health
    insurance folks.  They get to define it as they see fit.  It is
    misleading in that it implies some relevance to what customers or
    service providers would consider reasonable and customary.  Obviously,
    when you get socked with a bill that exceeds the "reasonable and
    customary" numbers, your response may be to approach your service
    provider and ask why.  I've done this.  My service provider gave me
    plenty of documentation that amply demonstrated why their service
    rates were reasonable and customary.  It's easy to prove that what you
    and I think of as reasonable and customary is in stark contrast with
    what the insurance folks define as "reasonable and customary."  We can
    go to service providers to get the hardcopy proof!
    
    I think we'll see pigs fly before we see the insurance industry use a
    definition of "reasonable and customary" that is in line with how
    service providers and clients would define it.  And, while we await the
    sky-high hams I expect we'll see a round of new phrases from health
    insurers for the compensation to be expected.  All of it designed to
    mislead as well as the carefully phrased "reasonable and customary" has
    worked.  I think the fact is that this bit of jargon has worked very
    successfully for the health insurance industry.
    
    I *would* like Digital to push for a bit more honesty with use of such
    phrases from employee benefit providers.  I'd also like to see sausages 
    fly through my window and onto my breakfast plate each morning.
    
    Steve

    It's my understanding that folks are out there, consulting firms,
    research firms, whatever you want to call them, gathering this
    data all the time, day in, day out.  They compile this data and
    insurance companies buy it.  Companies, like Digital, when they 
    negotiate a contract with an insurance company decide how often
    they want updated "reasonable & customary" data.  The less often
    they want it, the cheaper the cost to the company.  
    
    Thus, it's my understanding that Digital decides how often they
    want to update their reasonable & customary list.  If they want
    to keep the cost of the dental benefit low(er), they buy the 
    new(er) information less frequently from the insurance company.
    
    In employees' eyes, Digital seems to be damned if they do, damned
    if they don't, with regard to this benefit. 
    
    Sue
    

    Awhile back I got a call from a couple of folks associated
    with Benefits, apparently because I'd sent a brief message
    to BP's secretary, suggesting that the strings about health
    benefits be brought to his attention.  Here's what one of them
    subsequently emailed me about the reasonable & customary
    question;  he said it was okay to say it came from "U.S. Benefits."
    (I also asked about the sky-high HMO and HMO-Elect charges
    in Dallas that were mentioned in another note, and he said they
    are "reviewing the Dallas issue.")  Here's his r&c message:
    
    If they call the Hancock service center (1-800-dec-2060) and explain 
    what it is they are attempting to do, I have been told they will be
    help 
    through an "estimate" of what the R@C numbers are likely to be. The 
    cannot take this to the bank because:
    
    1) the r@c numbers are not set yet
    2) they are "guessing" on both treatment and cost, unless they have 
    submitted a pre-treatment estimate
    
    Again, they can help, but if people areexpecting specifics and 
    guarantees, it is not going to happen.
    
                                      

>> If they call the Hancock service center (1-800-dec-2060) and explain 
>> what it is they are attempting to do, I have been told they will be
>> help 
>> through an "estimate" of what the R@C numbers are likely to be. The 
>> cannot take this to the bank because:

Has anyone had any luck with this?  All I get at Hancock is someone telling
me that the only way to get this information is from my PSA at Digital.
Naturally, Digital tells me that I need to call Hancock.  Time's running
out and I still haven't got the information I need to make an informed
decision on whether to stay with the dental plan.  The harder I try, the
further away I get from obtaining meaningful data.

j.

    re: .33 and the 'Dallas issue'
    
    We received revised cost amounts for the HMO and HMO-elect in the past
    few days, I'll try to put them in the other topic.  Thanks for asking
    about it.
    
    Bob

    Re: .34
    
    Does the left hand know what the right hand is doing? I called the
    Hancock number (after chatting with a B.E. drone) and spoke with a
    pleasant person who gave me a few quick prices after some discussion of
    what I wanted. I did get a few specific R&C costs* based on my
    dentist's ZIP code that were higher than what they pay out today but
    she didn't say these were estimates. I was gathering more receipts over
    the weekend and intended to call this week to get more data.
    
    * I asked for real simple things: an adult prohphylaxis and the "routine
      exam". I wanted my receipts to get their codewords for other things
      I typically run into.

    Just how difficult is it to collect this data?  The insurance company
    has people continually submitting bills with the actual cost.  A little
    bit of adding and division should give the average cost for a zip code. 
    Use whatever multiplier you want on the average to get the price you
    want to say is "reasonable and customary".  
    
                                        August G. Reinig

    
    
    
    	I used to have my teeth cleaned every 6 months just as
    	allowed by the dental plan.  Then I noticed that my
    	cleaning person was charging $49 per cleaning. I thought
    	that was too high so I now go only once per year and
    	I seem to get along ok.  Under the current rates, the
    	plan is paying $29 of the $49 and I am paying the $20
    	difference.  I am looking forward to 1/1/96 to see what
    	effect the upgrading of the 10 year old "reasonable and
    	customary" estimates will be like.  This is the easiest
    	measure because teeth cleaning is a consistant cost that
    	we can anticipate.  In reality, under currenct thinking that
    	"Preventive" measures should be encouraged, teeth cleaning
    	for me falls in this category and should be encouraged by
    	good payout for those who do this on a regular basis.
    		My 10 cents worth!

    Now that it is 1996 my wife is going to have a
    Scaling procedure done.  In 1995 we found out that
    DEC covered $66 of $250 per side of the mouth. 
    
    A lousy 26%.
    And now?
    
    
    DEC covers $88 of $250.  
    
    A slightly better 35%.
    
    We will have to shell out $324.00 for this
    procedure.
    
    Not at all a happy camper.
    
    Lets see here, now in http:\\www.hp.com there denetal plan says.....
    

I don't consider our Dental Plan as much of a benefit at all. I've come
to just not expect much of it.

Last year my dentist personally called our dental plan office, to discuss
a procedure that my wife needed. She spent a lot of time on the phone
with them, working her way up the chain to someone who (allegedly) was in
a decision-making position. They told her (the dentist) to go ahead,
everything was okay. When we submitted the paperwork the claim was
denied. The dentist called them back and was told "we were in error"
-- and the decision was irrevocable. The cost to me was in four figures.

Insurance coverage that represents a fraction of the regionally normal
rates is apparently all we can expect. 

Given the present relationship between management and labor, it won't
improve soon. Take it or leave it.

Art

    
    
    That's tough, Art.  A reinforcemetn to me and I hope to the rest of us. 
    Get it in writing.  
    
    
    Mike

when my daughter's orthodontist said she needed her wisdom teeth extracted (he
could seen them coming in crooked in the x-rays), I had some interesting
conversations over it with our HMO.  bottom line, we got zip. 

now if we were willing to wait for them to get impacted/infected (as we were
assured they would if we waited), we could then have had her admitted to a
hospital and the HMO would pick up the tab (less the $3). 

-mark

    I'd love to see some more comparative examples of coverage increases
    over last year. They did raise our contribution by 44.5%, after all,
    with the explanation that we would see increased assistance.
    
    I see the lifetime for orthodontics is still $1000. 
    
    Disappointing plan (better than nothing?).
    
    Greg

    My one experience since the dental benefit was "improved" has been 
    positive.  For the last 4 or 5 years I've had to pay about $17-19 
    towards the price of my cleaning & X-rays (because the reasonable
    'n customary list hadn't been updated).  
                                                               
    I went to the dentist on Jan 6... and I only have to pay $4 towards
    the cost.  For $.50/wk, I like it.  Sure, I'm losing $26/yr in weekly
    premiums, but if that pays for more frequent updates to the R'nC list,
    I'm happy.
    
    And it'll help *now* with the cavity to be filled & another cleaning 
    later in the year.

    In December my dentist told me that I had cracked a large
    old filling on a back molar and needed a crown.  The estimate
    for the work was a little over $500.  The estimated benefit
    payment in December was $260 (about 50%).  In January, I asked
    for a restatement of the estimate benefit.  It was $400, so I
    had to pay $120.
    
    John

I wasn't happy about being FORCED into a dental plan that I had no input towards
(apparently some group of folks was polled about this, but I wasn't one of
them).  However, I decided to wait and see what the difference was.


Now I know -- I'm paying *more*.  What gets me the most is it was explicitly
stated more would be covered.  Not much more, if you ask me.  For this extra
money, I would think that all of a routine cleaning would be covered -- this
is preventive maintenance guys!  Small change.  But I find out only $7 more
is covered.  I have good teeth, so all I ever have is two routine visits a
year.


Last year I paid $19 for each visit, for a total of $38.  THIS year I'm paying
$26 for the new premium, and an additional $12 per visit, for a total of $50
per year.  LIke the commercial states, "Where's my SAVINGS?!"  Sure, it's only
$12 more per year but that's not the point -- the point is I was told I'd be
saving more.


I would like to see this policy changed such that those folks that want this
extra coverage can opt for it, but those of us who don't can take the old
plan.  At the very least, this whole thing should have been labelled as it
really is -- a way to pass more cost to US.



Brian

    Unlike the last noter, I did see improvement in what I pay.  All of my
    exam, cleaning, x-rays were covered this time.  A first in my 19 years
    at Digital.  As schedules are based on a geography, an individual
    dentist could charge more or less that the schedule amount.  In
    otherwords, your mileage may vary...
    
    David

    Any new on orthodontics being raised from $1000 for next year?  How
    about alternate dental plans with better ortho coverage?
    
    thanks,
    Mike

    Has anyone heard of any changes to the 1997 Dental benefits?  This
    week my Dentist asked if there had been a change for this year 
    because since the first of January, the percentage they have 
    received back from the Insurance is definately less than last
    year for the same procedures,  which of course means more $$
    out of our pockets.
    
    He was very surprised, especially since they were increased in 1996.
    
    I told him I had not read of any changes for this year, but I must
    admit, I did not read through the benefits book as yet.
    
    

    I submitted my dentists proposal for work that I need done.
    It took John Handcock at least 2 month to do the job and
    send me the paper work indicating what % of each procedure
    they would cover. 70% was by far the most prevalent number,
    if not the only number. Some % may have been higher or lower,
    I really haven't looked it over closely because I can't afford
    to have much of the work done.
    
    Mike

    Actually the dental benefits were supposed to go up this year because
    they refreshed the table that is used to drive the 'normal and
    customary' charges for the first time in (I think) four years.  I
    believe I've seen a HIGHER amount covered so far this year.  Of course
    your mileage may vary...
    
    	/jeff

    Yes, my understanding is that dental covers more this year, but your
    weekly deduction is also slightly higher.
    
    VTX BENEFITS_US is out of business and the benefits book isn't on the
    Web yet...
    
    				-John

    I don't know specifics about changes to the benefit provided, 
    but I was pleasantly surprised to find that my dentist was 
    being paid the entire amount by JH and I wouldn't have to kick 
    in anything.  (This was for a $35 cleaning and $53 X-rays done
    on Jan 14).
    
    And, as always, the benefit explanation sheet (or whatever they call
    it) was out to me within 2 weeks of my visit to the dentist.
    
    Sue

    JH will now pay 100% of the customary and reasonable charge set by JH
    for your area.  I believe this is only for preventative work. 
    Fillings, caps, crowns, etc will probably follow something different.  You
    should call your dentist and get the code numbers for the work you plan
    to have done and then call JH.  They will give you the dollar amounts
    they will pay.  I did this for my January visit.  I only paid $3.00 out
    of pocket instead of my usual $15.00.  So I was happy.
    
    I'll be make some more calls for pricing since my 3 kids all have
    appointments in a couple of weeks.  It's a pain, but I would rather
    know prior to going to the dentist what I will be paying.  Last year
    the dentist owed me over $40.00 because "they" estimated what they
    would get paid by JH.  It took the dentist 2 months to cut me a check. 
    So now, I'll tell them what I'll be paying.
    
    Chris                                                     

    I'll second what was reported in .57.  For the first time EVER, my 
    cleaning and checkup was covered 100%.  It was an unexpected surprise.
    Since I still go to my childhood dentist in the middle of nowhere (with 
    his zip code from some rural, poverty-stricken county), who knows what
    "reasonable and customary" figures JH cooks up.  

    
    From the "benefits" book
    
    100% for diagnostic and preventive work
    
    70% for basic restorative work
    
    60% for major restorative work
    
    50% for various forms of orthodontic work
    
    Dave

    The biggest problem with our Dental Insurance is that they never raise
    the $1000 maximum payment per family member per year. Our plan is good
    for preventive maintenance, but is very poor for anything else.
    
    Ray

    Our plan is also not very good when it comes to taking care of your
    kids teeth. I have two children and both have needed braces. 
    
    
    My recent experiences with dental costs:
    			Dentist's Charge	Insurance Covered
    Braces for child #1	  $2200				$1000
    Braces for child #2	  $2500				$1000
    Root Canal (mine)	  $ 780				$ 430
    Cap	(mine)		  $ 650				$ 350
    
    
    I usually use up my alloted $1000 every year as does my wife. There
    is a lot of room for improvement with this plan. To offset the gap
    between the actual cost and the insurance coverage I take advantage of
    the HCRA. So I actually get a 30% (approx) suppliment from the Feds.
    
    Steve  
    
    

    
         The hard truth of the matter is that this is still insurance, the
    basic concept of which is not geared toward people who use their full
    benefit every year (yikes! I can't even imagine doing that).
    
         If you do use your full benefit every year, you are getting FAR
    more out of the plan than the vast majority of us.
    
         Try to imagine people with auto insurance who wreck their cars
    every year...
    
                                       Greg

    
    
    
                       /////
    =======================   ?
    
    FJP

|                       /////
|    =======================   ?

	With braces is probably more like

	               ||||
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Last time I had major dental work JH slowed the process of payment
down by requesting more information from the endodontist, who
probably deserved the hassle.  This month it asked my dentist for
more information about a cap, when the dentist's office is expert
at getting all needed information to any insurer (it does speed up
the payments from insurers).  And I thought having cracks in teeth
was torture, ha!

They did cover more of my basic cleaning and x-ray charges.  Of
course that means more comes out of the $1000/person limit that
hasn't gone up with inflation.  

    re: .63
    
    Or looking at it a different way...
    If auto insurance only paid for approx 50% of any insurance
    claim, you'd have to say that the insurance coverage is inadequate. 
    I would gladly pay more for better coverage, if I had the option.
      

>          <<< Note 4214.67 by USCTR1::RIDGE "Steve Ridge @297-6529" >>>
>                               -< more please! >-
>
>    re: .63
>    
>    Or looking at it a different way...
>    If auto insurance only paid for approx 50% of any insurance
>    claim, you'd have to say that the insurance coverage is inadequate. 
>    I would gladly pay more for better coverage, if I had the option.

Insurance is very good at covering catastrophic or near-catastrophic
losses that occur infrequently or at irregular times.
When one knows that one will incur regular, significant charges/losses
for something, one should set up a sinking fund or be prepared
to pay as one goes.

As medical and dental expenses have become more expensive and more routine,
they don't fit the standard "insurance" model.
Preventative and diagnostic care is vital and necessary, but shouldn't
be covered by "insurance."  (Which isn't to say it shouldn't be an employee
benefit or government entitlement or whatever, nor is it to say that it should.)

The theory of insurance is a deeply philosophical matter, really.

- tom]

    
     As of my last visit, JH is covering more (HCRA covers the difference)
     than in the previous year.
    
     The only problem is that you know when the dentists realize this they
     will raise their rates and we'll all be in the same position again.
     
     Mark

I'm not that worried about my dentist raising his
prices.  He has told me in the past that of all the
insurance programs he works with, John Hancock is 
the only one that didn't pay his fees under "reasonable
and customary."

BC

Is it true that John Hancock is no longer servicing the Digital dental 
benefit plan?
I got a letter at home a couple of weeks ago that said that someone else
had taken over the business and that the address to submit claims
would change (or had changed as of March 1?).

Am I on track, or have I just invented a new rumor to fill out
the dental plan improvements thread?

- tom]

I got the same letter.  It said "next time you go, give this new address to the
dentist to submit the claims to."  

It also said that the 800 number had not changed.

bjm

Well I just submitted several claims last month to the old 
address and they came back fine. The one thing I noticed
is that the return address on the envelope had the name
UNICARE/John Handcock. It looks like JH must have created
a separate company to manage these claims.

Pete

        UNICARE is located in Dallas and they are buying the claims business
    for Digital that John Hancock is doing now, this applies to the medical
    plans also.  The 800 number is the same but I believe the claims will
    be sent to Dallas sometime in the future.

    The 1-800 number was switched to Dallas several weeks ago.  I called
    regarding a claim and got somebody with a southern accent.  I asked
    and, yes, she was in Dallas.  Apparently, when UNICARE bought the
    claims people, they were offered to relocate to anywhere else in
    the country that UNICARE had offices (I skeptically thought to myself,
    "Yeah, anywhere else as long as its Dallas...").  She told me that
    the people in Braintree got good packages but most of them turned 
    down the relocation offer to "live on the beach". 
    
    				-John

Um, what beach is that?

      Why, I imagine it's the world famous Wollaston beach, home to the
    Wollaston Yacht Club.
    
    MDL

	The start of the Irish Riviera.

							mike

>	The start of the Irish Riviera.
    
    Erin go Buick?

I called the 1-800-DEC-2060 number yesterday because I had some dental claims 
to file.  I likewise got the same Southern accent representative and was told 
to send them to an address in Richardson, Texas.

Larry

    You can still use existing claim forms.  They will be forwarded by
    the post office.
    
    				-John