Well, not sure how many Aussies we have here but I have seen a few around the traps and the recent post someone made about gum disease made me think about dental care for patients with Epilepsy.
I don't have private health insurance and started with dental problems at the end of 2009. My mother told me I should get covered by medicare under the chronic disease dental plan. I had to go to the GP to have him fill out a bunch of forms. The GPs office was rather resistant but my Mum said she had the same problem (she is able to get it because she had breast cancer) and had to insist they fill it out because she said she doesn't think they like having to do all the paperwork. I think I have to agree.
Anyway, the first GP I spoke to in that office said she didn't think I qualified because my teeth don't have any impact on my Epilepsy. I ranted for a while about how the last time I had a t-c seizure was due to an infection (not a tooth infection but still) and that the dentist told me that I currently had an infection and as such had a script for antibiotics which I pulled out to show her. She then agreed that I would qualify but told me that since she didn't see me as often as the other dr she'd recommend he do it. I waited an hour to see him and then he ummed and ahhhed, I insisted again and then he said he'd make an appointment for another time. I was fine with that but something came up and I had to ring the GP and reschedule for a later time (Monday instead of Friday). I explained the situation to the receptionist and she told me I could come anytime Monday. When I showed up Monday the dr didn't want to do it because he said I should have come Friday and said he didn't tell the receptionist to tell me to come Monday. I told him that wasn't my problem. He was worried about making others wait so I told him "well you better hurry up and fill out the form then." Let's say I wasn't up for mucking around at that point.
So anyway, my point is that you may have some trouble convincing and difficulty with doctors but you should qualify for the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme which will allow you to have up to $4200 worth of dental work over a two year period. Towards the end of the 2 year period you will be required to get another Chronic Disease Dental Plan written up and submitted to medicare from your GP to get another $4200. You can't reapply within the two year period but you can transfer your balance if say you need to go to an orthodontist or other related specialist for dentures to be made etc.
Sorry for the long ramble but hopefully it will be useful to someone and if you've had trouble getting your GP to fill in the form keep persisting. Even do what I did sitting in the office refusing to leave until you get what you want.
I don't have private health insurance and started with dental problems at the end of 2009. My mother told me I should get covered by medicare under the chronic disease dental plan. I had to go to the GP to have him fill out a bunch of forms. The GPs office was rather resistant but my Mum said she had the same problem (she is able to get it because she had breast cancer) and had to insist they fill it out because she said she doesn't think they like having to do all the paperwork. I think I have to agree.
Anyway, the first GP I spoke to in that office said she didn't think I qualified because my teeth don't have any impact on my Epilepsy. I ranted for a while about how the last time I had a t-c seizure was due to an infection (not a tooth infection but still) and that the dentist told me that I currently had an infection and as such had a script for antibiotics which I pulled out to show her. She then agreed that I would qualify but told me that since she didn't see me as often as the other dr she'd recommend he do it. I waited an hour to see him and then he ummed and ahhhed, I insisted again and then he said he'd make an appointment for another time. I was fine with that but something came up and I had to ring the GP and reschedule for a later time (Monday instead of Friday). I explained the situation to the receptionist and she told me I could come anytime Monday. When I showed up Monday the dr didn't want to do it because he said I should have come Friday and said he didn't tell the receptionist to tell me to come Monday. I told him that wasn't my problem. He was worried about making others wait so I told him "well you better hurry up and fill out the form then." Let's say I wasn't up for mucking around at that point.
So anyway, my point is that you may have some trouble convincing and difficulty with doctors but you should qualify for the Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme which will allow you to have up to $4200 worth of dental work over a two year period. Towards the end of the 2 year period you will be required to get another Chronic Disease Dental Plan written up and submitted to medicare from your GP to get another $4200. You can't reapply within the two year period but you can transfer your balance if say you need to go to an orthodontist or other related specialist for dentures to be made etc.
Sorry for the long ramble but hopefully it will be useful to someone and if you've had trouble getting your GP to fill in the form keep persisting. Even do what I did sitting in the office refusing to leave until you get what you want.
