Medical bills

[ecmst12]

Guys, I don't see where she's doing anything unreasonable. She's going to a network provider and the non-covered service certainly sounds reasonable and necessary to me - plus it's still only $52, not anything crazy.

HOWEVER - dad is deployed, got stuff on his mind, and she can't take him to court until he gets home ANYWAY, so might as well just be patient and keep records for now.

 

[CourtClerk]

How old is this child and why isn't an oral sedative an option as opposed to gas?

If they have to tie him down, then so be it. There have been times when as a little one, I've had to practically LAY on my child so that he could get shots or something else at a doctor's office. He's a teenager now, he's not in therapy over it. Sometimes you've got to do things you don't want to do. If a papoose board is what they need to do the trick... there you have it.

 

[ecmst12]

With an autistic child, an experience that traumatic could cause serious setbacks in function for a long time...

 

[CourtClerk]

With an autistic child, an experience that traumatic could cause serious setbacks in function for a long time...

It's much less traumatic if an oral sedative is given. A friend of mine's child is given an oral sedative before being strapped down. The kid is so out of it, he doesn't know WTH is going on - and he doesn't care either. Shoot, I'd like some of that stuff just to go to work with.

 

[RRevak]

It's much less traumatic if an oral sedative is given. A friend of mine's child is given an oral sedative before being strapped down. The kid is so out of it, he doesn't know WTH is going on - and he doesn't care either. Shoot, I'd like some of that stuff just to go to work with.

That would make two of us if the AMA didn't find that unethical and the state of FL didn't consider it illegal....killjoys

 

[ecmst12]

There's a lot more risks that go along with oral sedatives though, and it stays in the system much longer. The gas is pretty much gone as soon as the mask comes off, kid won't be groggy for the rest of the day.

 

[NCMomof5]

He has had the oral sedative before and had a paradoxical reaction. It didn't make him sleepy at all. Benadryl and things like that are the same way. The gas works, it's not the gas that is making the bill though, it is Tricares cost share for the services. For endodontic stuff we have a 40% cost share. The dentist is billing only the Tricare allowed amount for the procedure, but we have to pay 40% of it. Root canals.

Either way, even if I can't ever get him to pay for part of it, I'd rather have my kids get quality care instead of just looking for what option may be the cheapest. I wish this dentist took medicaid, but they don't. Within 2 hours there is another regular pediatric dentist that takes medicaid, but they don't have an andodontist on staff and would only be able to pull the teeth, and I don't want him to lose so many adult teeth at such a young age. Regular endodontists are available that take medicaid, but I can't force them to see him, and none of them will because of the severity of his autism. He is very low functioning, and non verbal.

 

[Ohiogal]

He has had the oral sedative before and had a paradoxical reaction. It didn't make him sleepy at all. Benadryl and things like that are the same way. The gas works, it's not the gas that is making the bill though, it is Tricares cost share for the services. For endodontic stuff we have a 40% cost share. The dentist is billing only the Tricare allowed amount for the procedure, but we have to pay 40% of it. Root canals.

Either way, even if I can't ever get him to pay for part of it, I'd rather have my kids get quality care instead of just looking for what option may be the cheapest. I wish this dentist took medicaid, but they don't. Within 2 hours there is another regular pediatric dentist that takes medicaid, but they don't have an andodontist on staff and would only be able to pull the teeth, and I don't want him to lose so many adult teeth at such a young age. Regular endodontists are available that take medicaid, but I can't force them to see him, and none of them will because of the severity of his autism. He is very low functioning, and non verbal.

I see a lot of "I"s in your paragraph. Does dad have joint legal? Dad doesn't have to pay for YOUR choices. YOU are the one making the choice that is costing money, YOU pay for it.

 

[Just Blue]

With an autistic child, an experience that traumatic could cause serious setbacks in function for a long time...

I, with tears running down my face, have had to restrain my daughter, who has PDD (an ASD). It was terrible. In the end I think it caused more emotional issue FOR ME than HER. I've had to do this for EGG's, inoculations, I.V's and and any other "invasive" care. She has not suffered, but I STILL have nightmares about this.

I've had to practically LAY on my child so that he could get shots or something else at a doctor's office.

 

[stealth2]

Come on folks - give Mom a break on this one. Different kids will react differently. I know one who absolutely freaks out at doctors, dentists, etc. - and "sitting on him" would make it even worse.

OP's child is apparently quite SNs, and I don't think it's our place to slam her with what is or is not appropriate for her child. Really. Back off.

 

[mistoffolees]

Come on folks - give Mom a break on this one. Different kids will react differently. I know one who absolutely freaks out at doctors, dentists, etc. - and "sitting on him" would make it even worse.

OP's child is apparently quite SNs, and I don't think it's our place to slam her with what is or is not appropriate for her child. Really. Back off.

I don't think I slammed her at all. What I said was that Dad only has to follow the court order - and the least expensive doctor would meet that requirement. If she chooses to use a more expensive doctor, she needs to either pay for it herself or get Dad to voluntarily help. It's not something she is likely to win a court order over.

 

[Ohiogal]

Come on folks - give Mom a break on this one. Different kids will react differently. I know one who absolutely freaks out at doctors, dentists, etc. - and "sitting on him" would make it even worse.

OP's child is apparently quite SNs, and I don't think it's our place to slam her with what is or is not appropriate for her child. Really. Back off.

I am not slamming her either. I am just trying to point out that what she chose doesn't necessarily mean that dad will have to pay for it. It was a CHOICE and, while her preference, not necessarily what the court will enforce. I have no issue with her wanting her child sedated. I have an issue (if believed) to wanting to dad to pay for it. And i still dont' know if dad has joint legal custody.

 

[ErinGoBragh]

A national dentistry chain here (Small Smiles) is being sued now across the country because they were restraining children- including autistic ones- not allowing the parents to be in the room and giving children unnecessary root canals. I say this *only* because OP said she's not sure why her son needed three already, on the off chance her children may be going to that clinic chain.

 

[Just Blue]

A national dentistry chain here (Small Smiles) is being sued now across the country because they were restraining children- including autistic ones- not allowing the parents to be in the room .

It is mind-boggling that any parent would not INSIST on being in the room with their child. If my DD's Pedi, NeuroPsych, Therapist, Dentist etc...Asked me to leave the room? I would say sure and take me and child out of there.

 

[mistoffolees]

It is mind-boggling that any parent would not INSIST on being in the room with their child. If my DD's Pedi, NeuroPsych, Therapist, Dentist etc...Asked me to leave the room? I would say sure and take me and child out of there.

My daughter's dentist asks the parents to leave the room during procedures. Apparently, their experience is that the procedures are easier and less stressful on the children when the parents aren't there adding angst.

It's a case of 'what's best for the child' rather than 'parent's desire to be there'.

Now, if a parent insists, I believe they will let them stay, but they prefer not to. And since the parent is right there in case of a problem, it's not that big a deal.