In a letter written "to the dentists advocating Medicare coverage of dentistry" and published by The Wall Street Journal Oct. 7, Richard Levy, DDS, urges dentists to resist the proposed Medicare expansion.
Dr. Levy has practiced dentistry on the East Coast for more than 40 years.
"Those who pay the bill determine what care is given," Dr. Levy wrote in the op-ed. "Insurance companies are in business to make money, not render care. Their constant denials and delays caused me to hire a full-time clerk to justify my treatments and go after payments — a total waste of time and money."
"As far as service, dentistry today is as medicine should be — highly responsive to patients," Dr. Levy explained. "The patient, not megainsurance, picks the dentist."
Whoever pays the bill is in charge, Dr. Levy concluded. "Medicare will not be a step up, but rather a big step down for dentistry."