Dental billing issues

Here is some information specific for military retirees but could have applications for others. Part of the protocol for this type of cancer is to evaluate your dental health.
Many of the side effects of the treatment, especially the radiation, will adversely impact your teeth and jaw. Radiation kills stuff but some forms of bacteria can thrive in that environment. The negative effect on your salivary glands tends to cause dry mouth and that provides a perfect environment for tooth decay.
My oncologist referred me to the UNC dentist and I had an examination. The UNC dentist recommended getting a cleaning prior to starting treatment. The military retiree dental plan did not pay the claim. The plan only pays for two cleaning/examinations a year and I had already seen my normal dentist within six months. So I had two issues; how to pay the bill and how to get my teeth cleaned prior to treatment. Since cancer grounded me funds were tight and I filed an appeal with the dental insurance company. No joy. I contacted livestrong and they referred me to the Patient Advocate Foundation. They could not help pay but suggested that I contact one of the dental schools for a cleaning.
Issue one resolved. The community college in Sanford has a dental hygienist program. They provide free cleanings so the students can practice. It was reassuring that the student was nearing the end of the program and that they are supervised by a qualified instructor. Issue two was more of a challenge. I contacted my congressional representative’s office. After some time I received an answer:

“Mr. Moss, we have received a letter from Delta Dental which notes your recent cancer diagnosis and your associated insurance benefits. Tricare Dental cannot provide coverage for more than two dental cleanings in any 12 month period. However, Tricare did contact Tricare Management Activity (TMA) their DoD liaison and confirmed that you should have coverage for necessary dental care associated with cancer treatments through the adjunctive dental benefit which is included as part of your medical insurance. Adjunctive dental care is described as –

That dental care which is medically necessary in the treatment of an otherwise covered medical (not dental) condition is an integral part of the treatment of such medical condition or is required in preparation for, or as the result of, dental trauma which may be or is caused by medically necessary treatment of an injury or disease.

You can contact your Tricare representative as they should be expecting your case.”

This made sense. Finding the right people in the UNC dental billing bureaucracy to follow through was the final challenge. The point of this entry is to let cancer warriors know that resources exist to help. Get treatment. There are programs out there to help you pay for it. I was blessed to serve in the military until retirement. Our medical insurance and treatment is not “free for life” we pay monthly premiums, co-pays and have limits on treatment just like other folks. UNC has programs for low income patients including “charity care.” The livestrong foundation has contacts with many other organizations some of which have grants and loans to help people pay for treatment.