News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser treatments. Parent comment

Re:Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser... by gehwartzen on Wednesday April 27, 2022 @09:14AM (#31179442)
At least in the US its because dental insurance isn't part of normal health insurance. Dental insurance mostly just covers the bare bones (teeth?) treatments like regular cleanings and an xray every couple of years. SO in order for the Dentist to make money they ahve to upsell every other treatment not covered by insurance. With regulars health insurance the doc is payed for pretty much any specific treatment they deem necessary so they know they will be payed.

I think if we had the 'pay out of pocket' kind of thing for other health care we would see the same thing.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser... by pc86 on Wednesday April 27, 2022 @09:34AM (#31179666)
Just because it's covered by insurance doesn't mean they don't get paid for the work.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser... by hnburnsy on Thursday April 28, 2022 @12:21AM (#31188704)
In the US, many consider dental insurance a pre-paid, discount dental plan, not really insurance in the traditional sense.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser... by lupire on Wednesday April 27, 2022 @09:52AM (#31179886)
I'm curious if you'll reread your comment and can see how you disproved your own point.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Google almost convinced me to spend $400 on useless laser... by gehwartzen on Wednesday April 27, 2022 @11:52AM (#31181561)
I'm not sure I see the contradiction? I'm just saying that if regular health care only covered something like wellness visits and a cast every other year they would probably be more likely to try and sell you additional services to drive their revenue.

And by upsell I just mean convincing you the financial burden is worth the proposed extra treatment. Right now as long as I have health insurance I don't care abut the extra cost of extra treatments beyond a health check because I don't directly bear the cost.

I mean pretty much every other health related thing that's not covered by insurance has the same dynamics; eye care, cosmetic surgery.

[ Parent | on HN ]