Unexpected expense during chapter 13

[katztoo]

We are in the final strech of our 60 month chapter 13, 9 more payments of $870 left. I now have a very painful absessed tooth that needs a root canel which will cost $900. I have heard that we can get a month off from our payments for an unexpected expense and tack it on the end. Does anyone know if this is true or how we do this? We have no money in savings and are on a very tight budget.

[Flamingo]

What you need to do is contact your attorney to see if that is possible. Note that any debts or expenses incurred after your filing date are your own responsibility. I know how tough it is to try to save cash on the side for expenses such as this but when you run into a financial situation such as this, always contact your attorney to see what, if anything, can be done....best of luck to you.

[katztoo]

I was wondering if anyone here has ever done that (skipped a month with permisssion). Last time we had an expense (heat went out in winter) we borrowed from our 401K. BAD choice! When the trustee found out she did an audit, tried to dismiss our case then upped our payment amount! I'm afraid to stir her up again, she's left us alone for a while and were nearing the end of our plan(finally!)!

[ValleYum]

We are in the final strech of our 60 month chapter 13, 9 more payments of $870 left. I now have a very painful absessed tooth that needs a root canel which will cost $900. I have heard that we can get a month off from our payments for an unexpected expense and tack it on the end. Does anyone know if this is true or how we do this? We have no money in savings and are on a very tight budget.

If skipping a payment is not a possibility (or your pain is too bad to wait until you hear back from the Trustee), ask your dentist to do an emergency palliative procedure called an "open and broach" (some dentists call it an "open and drain", too) which essentially is the first stage of a root canal. The fee for this is around $100-150 here and may be cheaper where you are.

I worked for an endodontist (root canal specialist) for 5 years and we did these emergency procedures every afternoon in order to get people out of pain. Your dentist will remove part of the infected pulp so there is room for any swelling within the tooth. The dentist will drill a small opening into the pulp space of your tooth and use an instrument called a "broach" to remove a portion of the pulp tissue. A temporary sedative-type of filling is placed, and you will come back on another visit to have your root canal completed. The pain should then be greatly reduced in a day or so. This can buy you some time until you can get the root canal finished. If you can take it, ibuprofen tends to work better on teeth than acetaminophen.

I hope you feel better soon! Tooth pain is THE WORST pain!

[mountanddo]

What about your local dental school. I know the University of MN has a dental school and I think they are a bit cheaper as you have students working on you under then supervision of a dentist. Will the dentist not take payments?

[katztoo]

If skipping a payment is not a possibility (or your pain is too bad to wait until you hear back from the Trustee), ask your dentist to do an emergency palliative procedure called an "open and broach" (some dentists call it an "open and drain", too) which essentially is the first stage of a root canal. The fee for this is around $100-150 here and may be cheaper where you are.

Thank you for that advice. I'll ask about that. My dental insurance money will "reload" in January, I already used this years maximum up, I'll get $1200 to spend on this type of procedure then.

[ValleYum]

I am waiting on a reload, too. That procedure I mentioned *should* get you through until January.

A root canal and a couple of fillings will eat through the maximum most dental insurance covers in a hurry.

[katztoo]

Mountanddo- My endodontist will take payment through a finance company they use - need credit approval!

[IamOld]

katzo - ask if the dds will allow you to pay over time...it doesn't hurt to ask - but if left untreated such an abcess WILL lead to infection of the underlying bone...and worse. This isn't a "voluntary" procedure - this is an immediate and dare say EMERGENCY medical need.

(sounds like your CH 13 trustee has much time on her hands.)

[karm43]

Letting a abcess go is not a good idea, it could cause myocarditis. Sorry this means it could drain into basically your heart and cause a infection. Did he put you on antibiotics? I would do the open and drain or just get the tooth pulled if you cannot afford root canal. Hopefully it is a back tooth.

[katztoo]

I'm on antibiotics now. It's helping the pain some so it must be working. If it still hurts Monday i'll call about the open & drain.

[IamOld]

I'm on antibiotics now. It's helping the pain some so it must be working. If it still hurts Monday i'll call about the open & drain.

Yes, because it is eliminating the infection which is causing the inflammation...sometimes what also helps is rinsing the mouth with VERY salty water.

However, PLEASE don't let this go...this can get VERY serious (I have many crowns :-) so I know!!!)

[TrainWreak]

Just another suggestion:
I signed up for Careington Dental. It is not insurance but a discount program. You may be able to use it for when your regular insurance runs out I don't know. You can Google Careington Dental, see what the prices are for treatments, and find a provider at the same websites that offer it. For example locally before I signed up for Careington I had exam, exrays, and one extraction for $203. After I signed up for Careington at $11.95 for Spouse and myself monthly (or just yourself for half that) I had exam, exray, and two extractions for $121 at Aspen Dental. I had to drive 30 miles to the nearest provider but it was well worth it. They have similar discounts across the board for probably any dental services you would need. There is no waiting period as you can get a plan number the instant you pay online. I have 8 months left of my 36.

[Flamingo]

I was wondering if anyone here has ever done that (skipped a month with permisssion). Last time we had an expense (heat went out in winter) we borrowed from our 401K. BAD choice! When the trustee found out she did an audit, tried to dismiss our case then upped our payment amount! I'm afraid to stir her up again, she's left us alone for a while and were nearing the end of our plan(finally!)!

You cannot miss a plan payment without the Trustee's permission. When you believe you are running into a financial issue where you feel you cannot make your Plan payment, a medical emergency situation (such as your abscess) arises, etc., contact your attorney. Your attorney would have to ask the Trustee for permission to skip any payments - that is something you yourself cannot decide without implications. This close to the end of your plan, you don't want to create any issues. You have some great tooth advice above but an abscess is not something you can let go. Speak with your attorney.

[Guest123]

We skipped a few payments in the begining of our play. The amount was added to the last year of the plan.
As suggested talk to your lawyer.