Pay us now or pay us later and other letters

Regarding “Serious dental infections requiring hospitalization up 40% since 2000” (ModernHealthcare.com, Sept.3), payers do not reimburse primary-care or urgent-care physicians for diagnosing and treating dental-related problems such as a tooth abscess, hence many people must go several days without treatment before they can see a dentist. To them I say, “You can pay us now (a small amount) or you can pay us later (a much bigger amount).”

Dr. Kenneth Patric

Regarding "Advocate data breach highlights lack of encryption, a widespread issue” (ModernHealthcare.com, Aug. 30), I can't imagine a healthcare organization that still permits laptops and PCs to have personal health information on them and not be encrypted. It is the easiest preventive action a chief information officer can take to reduce the risk profile of a healthcare organization. It has been around for years and is not terribly expensive (especially compared to what they will pay for remediation and regulatory penalties). Absolutely unimaginable.

David Watson