kami-girl - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

lucy25 · 08-19-2003, 02:03 PM

Hi fellow BC girl! I just wanted to know how you got your splint covered under Blue Cross. I too have extended Pacific Blue Cross and they would only cover $200 of the $1500. I am in the process of finding another ortho that will let me make payments on the splint. HWo have you seen in BC? Anyone on the Island? Let me know ok.
Thanks, Lucy

kami-girl · 08-19-2003, 08:42 PM

Hi Lucy,

I actually had 2 splints covered over the past two years and according to our plan I can have 2 in 5 years. My initial consult was covered as well. The $2500 I have to pay now includes this 3rd splint plus all the treatments. ( adjustments etc ) I have asked the neuro's office to see if they could do some kind of breakdown of treatment so that some could be claimed. This is all under our dental plan and the way I understand it the Blue Cross system has different catagories depending on which company you work for. My husband works for Weyerhaueser Canada.

The neuro dentist I am seeing is in Vernon. If you look on the Las Vegas Institute he is listed as one of the alumni members.

How are things on the Island? You know I have lived all of my life in BC and have never been to the Island. I hear It is very beautiful there. It used to be quite nice here until all these wild fires have been happening. Some days it smells like we are living in a wood stove between the heat and smoke!

Hope this information is some help to you.

Have you had any luck finding any financing for your treatment?

Grace

lucy25 · 08-20-2003, 11:39 AM

Hi Grace ~ Yes the island is a very beautiful place to live, I've been here all of my life ( I just wish I felt up to getting out more to enjoy it!). I think I just have the basics covered by Blue Cross. I think like 80% of a percentage. Not much. Yes I am having a very hard time finding financing. I will be seeing an orthidontist next week and he said that I could make payments on a splint, so I am very excited! I just hope that it helps because I really don't have the money. That's so horrible about the fires on the mainland! I couldn't watch the news because it was sooo depressing! I hope everyone is ok... thanks for listening and responding, it means a lot...
Lucy

kami-girl · 08-20-2003, 03:25 PM

Hi Lucy,

I hope your otho can help you! Does he have the equipment that the neuro dentists have? I'm talking about the unit that hooks up to the computer to measure your muscle activity and also the tens machine.

The reason I am asking is because the first splint I had made by my regular dentist and then I saw an ortho who basically did a pan x-ray on me and then took my splint for a week and when I got it back it was completely messed up (actually had holes in it) so I had to get another made. I'm not trying to discourage you in any way but just please be careful how you spend your money on this. I have an app't tomorrow and I am going to ask the difference between a neuromuscular dentist and orthodonics.

I looked on the Las Vegas Site and there is a neuromuscular dentist in Victoria.

I can't remember what symptoms you have or what treatment you have had so far. Getting old I guess!

Grace

kami-girl · 08-20-2003, 09:50 PM

Hi, me again,

I just found out today some interesting information regarding physio therapy for tmj. I phoned around looking for a therapist who does active realease therapy and after some searching I was told to call our local hospital and ask for the physical therapy dept. I talked to a therapist there who does work with tmj patients and my surprise it is possible to have treatment no charge if you get a referral from your dentist or dr. Apparently it is all covered by BC Medical. This might be something worth looking into for you as well!

She said that they access each patient individually as to what approach to use. She mentioned something about spray and stretch exercises. I have heard something about that before somewhere.

Hope this info will be of some use to you!

Grace