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modernhomeowner t1_ivkej4s wrote

Reply to comment by peteysweetusername in Didn't know dentists really worry about our dental costs by scwelch

Yes, but say you currently have operating costs and profit of $32 on $100. Your operating costs don't magically go down to $17 because this passes. Maybe they can lay off some people and outsource claims to India to get it down to $25, which means to hit the 87%, they'll raise your rate to $147, and just pay your dentist more to compensate for the remainder of the money. They aren't going to be able to lower their costs to $17, they will raise rates to get to their overhead and just pay out the rest to dentists.

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peteysweetusername t1_ivkihc8 wrote

Yeah, they do magically go down. Wanna know how? Delta dental gave its parent company $291 million. Boom

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modernhomeowner t1_ivkjx7u wrote

You think they will run Massachusetts without a profit?

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peteysweetusername t1_ivkn6jc wrote

Delta dental is a non profit so absolutely yes

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modernhomeowner t1_ivkosma wrote

Every insurance company has profit, even the non-profit ones. They keep reserves for future claims and growth, and of course, other charitable donations. Harvard Pilgrim had $700M in carried surpluses when they merged to Point32.

I don't think Delta is just going to give it up. And they aren't the only dental insurance company, that's not who I have, there are dozens of them. I'm guessing mine doesn't make much profit on the $19.99 to just keep the rates as is.

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peteysweetusername t1_ivkszgv wrote

The polls are showing my point of view is going to win so I look forward to the facts proving you wrong

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modernhomeowner t1_ivktaam wrote

Of course I do hope for my own sake you do prove me wrong! In the event my premium goes up, can I send the bill to you? Lol!

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peteysweetusername t1_ivktjy4 wrote

I don’t know how your insurance company is operating at $240 a year. I don’t think that’s enough to cover two cleanings, X-rays, and a exam never mind other services you may need like drills and fills

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modernhomeowner t1_ivkv0pi wrote

In most states, $240 is a lot; I used to pay cash to my dentist in NY $173 per year for THREE cleanings and one exam (if you have healthy teeth you have no need for a bi-annual exam, that's just a dental scam, all you need is cleanings and one exam a year, I liked having a cleaning ever 4 months). Even my exam I just had last month was a near joke, he didn't even count off the teeth, just looked in for about 20 seconds.

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