Dentists and medicare

[Indadhanu]

Shel needs extensive dental work, plus at least one wisdom tooth pulled ( please let that $950x2 come through...), and I'm just wondering, does the cost of that go towards the safety net thing?

So, does it count towards that? When we hit a certain amount we get some back? Or does dental not work like that?

ETA: I looked on the Medicare website, but couldn't make heads or tails of it serious case of sleep-deprived-mummy-brain this morning

[Trillian]

As far as I know you can't claim dental on medicare at all - but if you have a health care card some dentists will give you a concession on that.

[PinkPalace]

Have you asked at your local public hospital to use the public dental system?
it is bulk billed

[Olive]

private dentistry isnt covered by medicare at all (unless terminal illness)
best to look at public but expect a huge wait. or find a dentist willing to do work over a period of time and allowing you to pay offf i know how expensive it is!

[Indadhanu]

Shel doesn't have a HCC so public is well and truly out.

*sigh* bit ridiculous IMO. Dentists should bulk bill. But they don't and can charge anything they like.

[Trillian]

I know and it's terrible when you really need treatment. I used to be a dental nurse and we would let people pay it off - especially if they needed some of the more expensive treatments.

[Indadhanu]

Yeah I think we have to, she really can't wait any longer. Seems so silly though that they don't get a benefit at all!