Too much calculus

[dougo]

I went to a dentist today for the first time since getting my wisdom teeth out 7 years ago (which was painful in more ways than one, since grad school didn't offer dental insurance). My gums are in bad shape, but I knew that; the gaps are 5mm instead of 1-2 like they should be, so they're going to do some scaling. In March, which is the earliest they have an opening in the schedule (but I'm on the cancellation list). I guess that means they're popular, which is a good sign. Anyway, miraculously I have no cavities! I was sure I had several, based on the cold sensitivity, but that turns out to just be part of the gum recession exposing the roots. Also, apparently a medium-bristle brush just exacerbates the gum problems (yes, I think mshonle already said this), so they gave me a soft-bristle brush. And the out-of-pocket for the procedures is going to be way less than I expected, so I can reduce my FSA allotment. Meanwhile, I have to figure out how to spend the $1600+ I have leftover for this year, or I lose it. That's way too much Advil...

Comments

[mshonle.livejournal.com]

Good memory! The question still remains: why do they even sell harder bristled brushes at all? Not sure what you feel about tort laws, but can I encourage you to enter a McDonalds-made-me-fat lawsuit of the toothbrush makers for damages?

[dougo.livejournal.com]

They're probably useful for people with good gums, to get the stuff that flossing wouldn't.

RE: FSA

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

1) My coworker "found" $200 in deductibles looking at old grocery and drug store receipts
2) "ACK my back!" - I think you may need some massage therapy
3) Does a gym membership count? I don't remember.
4) I think you need new sunglasses.

Re: FSA

[dougo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the top contenders were prescription sunglasses (I don't actually have any) and prescription reading glasses, which were recommended to me for using the computer, since my regular glasses are tuned for distance vision and may be too strong for close-up vision.

But a massage might be nice. Maybe even a trip to the chiropractor, unless that's covered under the actual insurance, in which case I can wait. This whole "use it or lose it" thing is kind of ridiculous, really.

[cubes.livejournal.com]

Lasik!

[dougo.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'm not sure that isn't already covered by the regular insurance. It would definitely be interesting to see without glasses for the first time since second grade, but I am seriously phobic of the procedure. Do I really want LASERS near my EYEBALLS? (And be AWAKE?)

[cubes.livejournal.com]

I am the biggest chicken I know when it comes to medical procedures (I have, more than once, fled from the dentist chair in a panic).

I had lasik earlier this year. It was a breeze -- I probably didn't even need the second valium.

It's really wonderful to be able to just SEE.

[artname.livejournal.com]

Buy stuff you can return after you photocopy the reciepts.

Normally I encourage honesty, but FSA is pretty darn silly. Well, actually, ifyou have fixed medical expences, like therapy or accupuncture. But the whole idea that you can get a break if you can predict your medical expences is fucked. Why not just GIVE ME THE BREAK?

But for $1700 you have to goo for devices. Buy a walker or something. One of those icemakers for your bad knees. Make sure it's refundable.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

I suppose I could have done a better job predicting. But at the time I was overdue for visits to eye doctor, dentist, and regular doctor, and I figured that would be sure to meet the maximum. But too much of it is already covered, I guess. I think someone mentioned that the excess is deductible, at least. Not like I have enough other deductions to be able to itemize, though.

[lilituc.livejournal.com]

Don't forget prescriptions as fixed expenses. Also, joxn always gets asked for the receipts when he buys something without his name on it (like advil or bandaids) so I'm not sure your refund thingy would work.

Forget walkers. Go for a home defibrillator.