Hi
I'm a 15 yr throat cancer survivior and now all my teeth are horribly decayed. I've had frequent dental care but not what I should have been having to take care of the decay under the crowns etc. Now I've been going forever to try and figure out the best thing to do. They are suggesting the 20 HBOT before then 10 after the extractions. Did your husband have any issues with that? Also have you had issues with insurance. I only have Medicare and a supplement and they do not want to pay anything for any of it. Not the oral surgery or the anesthesia. Nothing. I need crowns and root canals on all the bottom teeth too. The cost is astronomical. They won't extract those at all unless it is absolutely impossible to do anything else. I'm just afraid of the healing and of my mouth being sore forever. It has never really gotten to where it is comfortable to eat or chew since the radiation. Did you get an advocate from medicare that helped at all. I've been told that might help. Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

Wow! I have Medicare and the Supplemental to cover everything else Medicare doesn't pay for, and I'm going through the same teeth nightmare. I need ALL my teeth taken out, which are in disrepair and down to the gum line, and have three teeth infected now. Mine is being putting off due to microscopic cancer, and can't do HBO until after chemoradiation treatment due to it feeding cancer. I hope I have no problems, and had HBO previously, but had insurance with my employer. The wound management doctor then, where HBO is associated with sometimes, said it has to be put in properly otherwise insurance may deny it cause its expensive, $2000 for each session. I had no problems.

Thanks for the heads up.

Ive moved your post to its own thread. The other member has been posting a running account of what her husband has gone thru and is facing. I wanted to be certain your post and your questions got the attention it deserved by having its own thread.

Medicare will cover HBO treatments. Your doc may have to appeal the denial but it can get approved with proper documentation. Ive been thru this with my oral surgeon and he was able to get it approved. My co-pay was quite a bit but nothing compared to what it would cost without insurance. HBO is very important to have done to avoid far bigger issues down the road like osteoradionecrosis of the jaw bone.

Please feel free to ask any questions about this and I can try to guide you thru everything.

PLTLea, We had no problem with Medicare covering HBOT. Once oral surgeon recommended extraction, radiation oncologist ordered the HBOT, and HBO office submitted for approval from Medicare. 3 days later approval was received.

Our oral surgeon does not participate in Medicare. Not sure under what circumstances, if any, Medicare would cover dental services.

I suggest that you seek out advice from the Head & Neck Department of a Comprehensive Cancer Center, even if you do not end up going there. The patient coordinator at Dana-Farber Cancer Center in Boston facilitated a dental consultation for us. I spoke to their financial department and they submitted directly to Medicare and think that the consultation fee will be covered. The CCCs have more resources and experience in handling complicated situations. Sometimes a case & x-rays can be reviewed electronically, but I don't know how payment works.

Let me know if I can try to help answer anything else,
Lottie

Folks I'm having a little trouble understanding HBOT.

Abbreviations thread says HBO is hyperbaric oxygen, and BOT is base of tongue

So, is hyperbaric oxygen for base of tongue a treatment for dental problems?

thanks

HBOT, Hyperbaric Chamber Oxygen Therapy or HBO, is to treat a variety of injuries, illnesses, conditions, systemically or at specific locations where increased oxygen will facilitate blood flow, healing, so it could be base of tongue, dental, burns, ulcers, necrosis, etc. The BOT does not stand for base of tongue in this treatment.

Thanks everyone for your input. I was not clear I see about the insurance. My medicare and supplement will cover the HBOT but not the oral surgery or anesthesia for the extraction of all the upper teeth. I am trying to get some help but it is like hitting your head against a wall. Every time you think you gain a little you get knocked back. Like the dr at the HOBT said it is from throat cancer and result of the radiation and if you had cancer on your leg and needed surgery and a surgeon and an anesthesiologist that could get paid for. It makes no sense and yet you no help. Also I feel the rest of the dental should be covered as well. If you have breast ca and you get a mastectomy they cover reconstruction, wigs, even special bras. Now that is all cosmetic but your teeth are imperitive to be able to eat. It is not for cosmetic reasons. Now off my soapbox.
I would also like to say that to those who have had radiation keep up with the fluoride. My dentist said it wasn't necessary and I didn't do it but the decay was occurring under the crowns and now all of a sudden everything is just falling apart and there is not a lot they cam do and the expense is astronomical. I'm still getting evaluated for the HBOT so have no dates yet for the surgery. I am glad to hear though that some of you have had surgery and your mouth healed. I'm just afraid after this much time the blood supply isn't going to be that good. You hear the horror stories and it is pretty scary. It helps to hear your good stories. I will keep you posted and if anyone has any further suggestions about any financial help I really appreciate it. Hope everyone is having a happy and healthy holiday so far.

Is your Oral Surgeon an MD? Not all Oral Surgeons are Medical Doctors. Possibly an MD Oral Surgeon would be able to be reimbursed through Medicare/Supplement for surgery. May be a long shot but you may want to look into it.

Yes he is an MD and a DDS. He still insists it won't be covered by Medicare. I'm still working on it. It is so overwhelming how much out of pocket they expect you to pay when it should not be any different just because it is your mouth. I think the drs and dentists I haee are all good and feel like they know what they are doing but I know that dealing with insurance companies can be a nightmare and as bad as the disease you are dealing with sometimes. Again thanks for the info. I appreciate anything anyone has to offer.