IV sedation procedure not necessary.  Coverage denied.

Those words leaped off the bill I just received from my periodontist.  So did the number $399.
Like a bull in an arena snorting and staring down a red cape, It’s amazing I was able to dial the office number without my cell phone screen fogging up.
In a restrained tone, in between deep breadths, I inquired why I my insurance wouldn’t pick up the IV sedation.  Her answer was that many insurance companies don’t pick that up.

Without being too graphic (that’s a darned good pun),  I had a piece of skin gutted from the roof of my mouth to use as a skin graft to repair a tear in my front left tooth gum.  The procedure took about an hour and I woke up with stitches in my mouth, along with putty to protect where he gouged the roof of my mouth.  That was six weeks ago and I’m still numb where doc scraped for the graft.

Not necessary?

I suppose in the old days they shot up the violated area with a local and the patient stayed awake through the whole ordeal.  It makes my stomach churn just thinking about it.

The receptionist relayed that the doctor would give a testimonial to the procedure and file the claim again to see if it’s accepted.

Now, I know people go through far worse medical procedures but this was no picnic.  Surgery anywhere in your mouth is no fun.  I also understand that there’s insurance fraud, but c’mon man.

…and don’t get me started on my medical decuctable…