So... sometime last year I handed my Medicare Advantage card to my dentist's receptionist and asked her to check for dental benefits.  I kept seeing ads on TV touting the benefits on the plan I have.  I know I didn't have dental benefits when I started, but I think last year that changed, though I was never notified.  The receptionist acted put out and did some sort of cursory check and told me I had no dental benefits.  I took her at her word, though her attitude should have tipped me off.

So I have an appointment coming up, and after seeing more and more ads I decided to check for myself.  No easy task, as the website is pretty confusing.  But it really looked like I should have a $0 copay for cleaning and x-rays.  I called my MA provider, and the rep I spoke to said yes, I do have those benefits on my plan.  When I told him the story about the receptionist, he became quite affronted on my behalf, and he ended up calling the dentist's office and paving the way for my benefits to be recognized and honored.  I was asked if I could identify the person who gave me the misinformation, but I could not.  She was just the lady at the desk, to me.  Perhaps she is not even there anymore.

I feel a little bad about going into the office on Tuesday.  I was honestly just checking on my benefits and didn't expect that the rep would call the office and take them to task.  But I guess I'm glad it was done.  I just really like my dentist and I don't want the relationship to be tainted by this.

Today was my gym/errand day.  I went to Aldi and spent $41.  My variables are now at 57%, and we're 52% through the month.  Evening out.

I was feeling quite smug listening to all the news about how heating costs are going to rise this winter -- I don't have a heating bill.  But then I heard that heating oil will see the highest rise of all, and that is what powers our boiler -- and of course the property management company will raise the assessment fees to cover this rise in cost.  Duh.  If they don't, I will be quite shocked.  That will probably absorb the increase in my Social Security payments, if the proposed Medicare increase doesn't.  These are challenging times for retirees!