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Yahoo
03-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Man Paid Me Thousands Of Dollars For Sex. Most People Would Never Guess Why I Did It.
When I check in at the dentist, I'm a walking cliché — hoping for the best, but expecting a $1,000 bill. It's always the latter. 'Deep grooves and weak teeth,' I've been told by dentists. 'Genetic,' like being predisposed to heart disease. I do what I can. I own an electric toothbrush, Waterpik, avoid sugar, floss every single night, and yet. I'd been on what I'll call a 'crown journey' the last few years at the advice of my former dentist ― a $20,000 process to replace 17 (yes, seventeen) of my teeth with crowns. My dental insurance caps the amount they'll cover every year. Since I couldn't afford the rest out of pocket all at once, it had been a four-year equation of maxing out my benefits, letting them renew, then maxing them out again. With only my incisors and cuspids still bare, I'm just hoping none of the crowns have failed. There is a cluster of blue balloons strung into the shape of a smile on the main wall, which looks inviting, like a birthday party, except that framed facts accompanying it spoil the mood. Fact: People with gum disease are 25% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease. And, Fact: Without proper oral health, you are 4.5x more likely to develop a the lobby, I flip through a pamphlet detailing this office's partnership with VISA for a dental-only credit card. We live in a debt-driven society, so I've been tempted by this type of credit card a few times. Why not just pay 24% interest on my $20,000 bill for years and years and years? But after going through the student loan experience of actively accruing interest while I sat in classes, as I submitted homework, as I slept — I just couldn't do that to myself again. I was only able to crawl out of student loan debt by becoming a sugar baby, which is just a cute way of saying I would meet the same 'John' in cheap hotel rooms once a week: an envelope of cash in exchange for sex. I'd been working at a strip club when I met John — a financial upgrade from bagging at Whole Foods. Sick of being unable to afford groceries while working full-time, I decided to utilize every tool at my disposal to improve my life. The tool I had was being an attractive-enough 24-year-old. My goals were not glamorous: Pay for my remaining university semesters in cash. Pay off my $32,000 in accrued student loans. And, aware I had a fuck ton of cavities, visit a dentist. I know I don't deserve the honor, but sometimes I compare my stripping story to Cardi B's. She, too, was working at a grocery store, struggling to make ends meet before she started dancing. I learned this in an interview she did with Howard Stern, where he asks Cardi misogynistic questions. 'Was it a horrible existence?' 'Did it make you hate men?' 'A lot of people want me to lie and be like I hated it,' she said. 'I'm not even gonna front. It saved me. It really saved me.' She goes on to say that she initially felt ashamed of the work. Sometimes she worried about what her parents might think when she gave lap dances. But then she'd count her tips. The main problem I had with the strip club was that I wasn't a good dancer, and therefore, I didn't make a ton of money. But John came in like a miracle on a Wednesday night. I showered him with attention at a corner table, an electric tea light flickering between us. 'The stage lights make it look like the dancers are about to be abducted by aliens,' I said, and placed my manicured hand on his thigh. I made him laugh. He asked to see me again. It was not an easy decision to meet him outside of the club for $500 plus a meal. But six weeks later, I was glad I had, as he asked me what I wanted for Christmas while putting on his socks. I considered asking him to cover my next semester of college, but I had such a bad toothache, I blurted out, 'A visit to the dentist.' It'd be the first time I'd seen a dentist in six years, since I'd aged out of my parents' plan at 18. I could've cried with relief when he agreed. I almost feel bad remembering the moment I had to tell John the total of the bill after that first appointment. A number I'd had to text from my closet because I'd been too embarrassed to tell him any other way. The poor guy thought I'd be getting some X-rays and a cleaning. Maybe a filling or two. Not that I'd need two crowns in addition to 12 fillings. Not that the bill would be grazing $7,000. 'Ouchie!!!' he texted back. 'Your teeth must have been hurting you for a while!' It had been precisely what I'd needed — some empathy and his agreement to cover the tab. I feel a pang of retroactive gratitude — that butterfly wing's flap of the moment, your whole world changes. And then my name is called. *** When I lay back in the dental chair — a comfortable, pleather seat — I let the hygienist admire the remnants of work that John paid for. She compliments my mouthful of crowns and carefully pokes around for the story behind them. 'I've never seen anything like it,' my old dentist had said. 'There is compote and silver amalgam from different visits, filling different cavities in the same tooth.' Apparently, the everyday wear of chewing with those fillings had started to crack my teeth. She nods. 'That's what I figured.' There was a time I thought I'd let the secret of John go to the grave with me. I thought I would simply undress myself, lie next to him in starchy bedsheets enough times to pay off my student loan debt, have him pay that one exorbitant dental tab, and then live happily ever after with no one all the wiser. But I couldn't make sense of my life's changed trajectory without him. On the other end of the bachelor's degree that I paid off through sugaring was a fully-funded graduate program. And at the tail end of that, a career track job doing work I love. God only knows if I would've ever finished school without sugaring. Or even if I had, what job would I've immediately jumped into out of need when the six-month grace period ended on my student loans? My dentist can't see what state my teeth are in under the crowns. She can only scan the X-ray films for any dark patches near the root. To disassociate during this, I imagine being interviewed by Howard Stern. Sure, he'd likely vulgarly ask the same question I've been asked 100 times since outing myself as a former sugar baby. Was it empowering to pay for your school with your puss? Did you feel like you had the upper hand over John? Empowering is the opposite side of the disempowered coin. The only binary responses people can imagine when it comes to sex work. I would say what I always say. 'I didn't find the sex work empowering. It wasn't a dream for me to pay for anything with my body. But money. Having money was empowering. Having money changed my life.' Which usually makes people think, Oh, yeah. Obviously. 'I don't see any new cavities,' my dentist says, poking my gums and making me bleed. 'But I'm noticing gum recession and bone loss.' She nods over to a chart on the wall of terrible-looking teeth. 'You have early-onset periodontal disease,' she added. This is terrible news, which I try very hard not to cry at. And I fight the urge again as the finance guy goes over my benefits, and gingerly says $811, after insurance, for a special deep-cleaning and saliva test. I should clarify — I'm not upset because I don't have the money this time. I do. I've been saving for this visit. But enormous dental bills will always unhinge me. Over the last decade, starting with John's astronomical gift, I've given $42,000 to the dentist — a number that finally surpasses what I spent on my university degree, which seems somewhat surreal. I think about Cardi B again, specifically her lyric, 'Got a bag and fixed my teeth. Hope you hoes know it ain't cheap.' There must be nothing as unglamorous as dental work, and yet it's so expensive that it still serves as a flex. I manage to keep it together as I swipe my credit card (for the points), but trust me, my therapist will hear about this. We will talk about the trauma of growing up financially insecure. About entering adulthood, even worse off. I will ugly-cry in a safe space, as I tell her that I compromised what I could of my body to get ahead in life, but there are just too many ways to break the bank. I will tell her that at the very core, the fear remains — one swift tumble and it's a mudslide back into poverty. She will help me ground in the moment. To reframe. Practice gratitude. Live not in the disastrous past or the potentially disastrous future, but the now. At least I don't have any cavities. At least now I have my own money to pay the bill. At least, I'm outside of the hole I once lived in. And then, feeling better, feeling grateful for every choice I had to make to get here, I'll reference John. At least, he gave me the ladder up — and I took it. Michelle Gurule is the author of 'Thank You, John,' forthcoming from Unnamed Press in September 2025. Do you have a compelling personal story you'd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what we're looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@ Related... I Worked In A Gentlemen's Club. Here's The Uncomfortable Truth Many Married Women Won't Face. I Hired A Sex Worker To Save My Marriage. Here's How It Changed Our Lives. I've Kept This Secret For 56 Years. I'm Telling The Truth Now In The Hope That It Will Save Lives. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pro Football Retired Players Association and Delta Dental Partner to Expand Dental Benefits for Retired NFL Players and Spouses
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA), a national organization that develops programs and benefits for retired NFL players, today announced a new partnership with Delta Dental, the nation's leading provider of dental insurance. This agreement will see Delta Dental become the new administrator of the PFRPA Dental Plan, one of the Association's flagship benefits offerings. Since its launch in 2017, the PFRPA Dental Plan has been available to the more than 10,200 retired NFL players comprising PFRPA's membership. The insurance plan was enhanced and extended to include members' spouses in 2018. Today, this partnership with Delta Dental facilitates a greater expansion of the PFRPA Dental Plan, one that will offer even more unprecedented coverage. Delta Dental of Virginia Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer David Notari highlighted the importance of offering this level of care to the Association's membership. "We're proud to welcome the Pro Football Retired Players Association to the Delta Dental family," Notari said. "These athletes gave their all on the field, and now it's our turn to deliver for them—off the field. We're excited to support the health and well-being of these legends and their spouses." Delta Dental has the largest dental network in the nation and offers comprehensive coverage, with a strong focus on preventive care. PFRPA members and their spouses will have access to informational resources detailing their coverage; an online portal to help them manage their benefits; a dedicated mobile app; and telehealth dentistry services. PFRPA Executive Director Joe Agbasi emphasized how the partnership with Delta Dental reflects PFRPA's continued commitment to bettering the lives of those who built the game. "At PFRPA, our members and their families are a key focus of our mission, and supporting their well-being guides every decision that we make as an organization," Agbasi said. "We continuously seek new ways to enhance the value we provide to our membership. This partnership with Delta Dental marks an exciting new chapter for PFRPA, one that enables us to provide even greater benefits and expanded access to quality dental care for those we are here to serve." PFRPA focuses on solidifying and preserving the legacy of retired NFL players by creating and managing new revenue streams, while developing meaningful health, welfare and educational programs. About Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA)PFRPA is a champion for retired NFL players, dedicated to bettering the lives of those who contributed to the game. PFRPA, the first court-established retired NFL player organization, through its leadership and dedication, has been on a mission to solidify and preserve the legacy of retired NFL players. Through the Greater Good Fund, PFRPA's 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, PFRPA develops various health and welfare programs, designed exclusively for retired NFL players. The Football Greats Alliance, PFRPA's licensing agency, develops partnerships to drive meaningful revenue for retired NFL players and provide revenue for the Greater Good Fund to support all retired players. To date, more than 10,200 retired players and more than 3,500 players' spouses have enrolled in PFRPA insurance benefits. For more information about PFRPA, visit About Delta Dental of VirginiaEstablished in 1964, Delta Dental of Virginia is a not-for-profit dedicated to improving oral health across Virginia. Delta Dental of Virginia provides high-quality, cost-effective dental plans to more than two million members. Through its foundation, Delta Dental of Virginia has invested more than $14 million to help create healthy smiles in Virginia through improved access to oral health care, education and research. Delta Dental of Virginia is a member of the national Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA). Since 1954, the DDPA has worked to improve oral health nationally. Delta Dental member companies serve over 78 million people in more than 175,000 groups nationwide. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pro Football Retired Players Association Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Anthem Dental Insurance Review 2025
Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor We analyzed costs and benefits information for 32 stand-alone dental insurance plans. We looked at price quotes, coverage limits and deductibles, and reimbursement levels. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies so all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below. Anthem offers multiple dental insurance plan tiers that vary by cost, coverage, reimbursement level and waiting period. Anthem Dental provides dental coverage in 14 states: Anthem Dental insurance plans have slightly higher-than-average premiums compared to other companies. The two highest-rated plans, Essential Choice PPO Platinum and Essential Choice PPO Gold, have higher premiums than the national average. However, the added costs come with better coverage than that of many competitors. Here's a look at the dental insurance cost differences of top-scoring plans for eight dental insurance companies. Anthem, also known as Elevance Health, is an independent Blue Cross Blue Shield Association licensee. BCBSA has 33 independent licensees that cover members across all 50 states. Elevance, aka Anthem, covers 118 million people with multiple types of insurance plans across 14 states. Anthem's health plans cover an estimated 47 million. In addition to dental insurance, Anthem offers: Anthem has one of the best complaint ratios to state insurance departments. That may signify higher customer satisfaction than competitors. AM Best financial strength rating: A (Excellent) Credit rating agency AM Best gave Anthem an A (Excellent) financial strength rating. AM Best praised Anthem's 'balance sheet strength, highlighting the company's 'strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.' To find the best dental insurance companies, we scored 32 stand-alone dental insurance plans. We got quotes from each company and dug into each dental plan to find out what each one covers, what they reimburse for different types of coverage, and coverage limits and deductibles. Only the top-scoring plans from each company are shown. Benefit details can vary by state, so check the plan brochure for details. Ratings are based on the following criteria. Anthem Dental offers multiple plans that we rated highly, including Essential Choice PPO Platinum. Anthem's comprehensive plans may cost more than those of some competitors, but they also come with higher coverage and the flexibility to get dental care outside the plan's provider network. You can shop for Anthem Dental plans by visiting the company's website and entering your ZIP code in the Find Plans in Your Area tool. Anthem will ask for your name, date of birth and email address and will provide you with quotes for plans in your area. You can also call Anthem at (855) 875-1584. You can cancel your Anthem Dental policy by calling the phone number on your dental insurance card. Anthem may ask that you send a letter requesting cancellation.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Ameritas Dental Insurance Review 2025
How We Chose the Best Dental Insurance Companies We analyzed costs and benefits information for 32 stand-alone dental insurance plans. We looked at price quotes, coverage limits and deductibles and reimbursement levels. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies so all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below. Ameritas offers multiple dental insurance plans that range from the low-cost PrimeStar Lite to comprehensive plans like PrimeStar Complete. Ameritas Dental offers dental insurance in all states except for Massachusetts and Washington. It also offers dental policies in Washington, D.C. Ameritas' comprehensive plans like PrimeStar Complete cost more than the national average but it offers coverage levels not found in other plans. Here's a look at the dental insurance cost differences of top-scoring plans for eight dental insurance companies. Ameritas offers multiple types of insurance, financial services and employee benefits to 6 million members. The company started in 1887 as The Old Line Bankers Life Insurance Company in Lincoln, Nebraska, and offered life insurance. Ameritas began providing dental insurance in 1959. Ameritas also owns Spirit Dental, another provider recognized as one of our best dental insurance companies. Now, besides life insurance and dental coverage, Ameritas offers: Credit rating agency AM Best gave Ameritas an A (Excellent) financial strength rating. AM Best praised the company's balance sheet strength, operating performance, business profile and enterprise risk management. 'Ameritas has demonstrated appropriate risk management capabilities,' said AM Best. The Better Business Bureau rated Ameritas with an A+. BBB rates companies based on complaints, business size, whether the company responded to complaints promptly and whether the company resolved the issues. To find the best dental insurance companies, we scored 32 stand-alone dental insurance plans. We got quotes from each company and dug into each dental plan to find out what each one covers, what they reimburse for different types of coverage and coverage limits and deductibles. Only the top-scoring plans from each company are shown. Benefit details can vary by state, so check the plan brochure for details. Ratings are based on the following criteria. Ameritas Dental offers two well-ranked comprehensive dental insurance plans that could be excellent if you're looking for a high level of coverage. Both PrimeStar Complete and PrimeStar Boost offer high annual coverage maximums and strong reimbursement for dental services. To apply for an Ameritas Dental plan, go to the MyPlan page on the Ameritas website and enter your ZIP code into the quote tool. You may also choose vision insurance to add to your dental coverage. Ameritas will provide a list of plans in your area and specifics about each one. You can choose a plan and purchase coverage through the Ameritas website. To cancel Ameritas Dental insurance, contact the company at 888-336-7601. You can cancel or change your plan at any time.
