The world of Medicare can be a bit confusing regarding what services are covered by the different parts of Medicare. In addition, many oral problems, such as bad breath and tooth decay, become common as you age. If you’re interested in taking good care of your oral health, it’s essential to know the extent to which dental coverage for medicare and, in the event there isn’t any, what options are available to you.
What Dental Treatments are Covered by Original Medicare?
Original Medicare provides a variety of medical procedures and services. However, routine dental care isn’t among them.
Medicare Part A provides dental procedures only when they are directly related to treating an injury or a more significant health problem, such as dental extractions related to treatment for oral cancer.
If you are injured in a manner that affects the jaw, teeth, or mouth and causes you to be admitted to a hospital, Original Medicare might provide specific dental treatments.
Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover the following dental services:
- Cleaning
- Tooth Extractions
- Fillings
- Root canals
- Crowns
- Other Dental Devices
- Periodontal scaling, dentures, or implants
If you have an individual insurance policy, you will likely receive protection for cleanings at least every six months, as you would normally. However, be aware that you could be facing delays for more urgent services. For instance, you could have to wait for six months for essential services like fillings and extractions.
A waiting time of more than 12 months following joining is usual for major dental procedures like:
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Root canal
- Oral surgery
The good news is that sometimes your insurance provider will reduce or waive the waiting time if you can prove that you had continuous dental coverage over the past year. However, some dental plans do not have waiting intervals. It’s therefore essential to compare and shop around projects.
What Part of Medicare Covers Dental Insurance?
Medicare Advantage Plans, also called Part C, offer Medicare Part A and Part B benefits besides extra coverage. The plans are offered by private insurance companies and recognized through the Federal Medicare program. These plans may also provide extra programs and services that aren’t part of Original Medicare, like dental and vision insurance. In addition, specific plans could also offer Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage Plans work similarly to traditional Medicare in coverage. For instance, they can have deductibles, copays as well as coinsurance.
Notably, some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental. However, differences may occur from plan to plan, and therefore, before signing in, you must be aware of what the plan offers. If you’re searching for dental insurance under Medicare, ensure that you sign up for the Medicare Advantage program you choose that offers dental insurance compatible with your needs and budget.
What Dental Procedures are Covered by Medicare Advantage?
When it comes to Medicare and dental cover, there are just Medicare Advantage programs (Part C) that might offer dental coverage. The coverage provided is typically basic and can include:
- Cleaning teeth
- Routine X-rays
- Extractions
- Fillings
- and maybe
Review all the specifics about this Medicare Advantage Plan before signing up. Plans will differ depending on the insurance provider you select and the location you reside in. In addition, dental insurance usually includes restrictions on the number of services covered over one year, the maximum amount of cost coverage, etc.
What Can You Do Besides Enrolling in Part C?
If you’re on a Medicare plan that is working for you but does not provide dental coverage, here are a few alternatives to look into:
Buy a Stand-Alone Dental Plan
You can get an individual or stand-alone dental plan from a private insurance company. There are many dental plans to pick from, with the majority of them offering affordable monthly charges. The primary dental procedures will give you insurance for desired dental treatments with lower monthly payments. However, stand-alone dental plans also include deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Pay Out-of-Pocket
Find a walk-in dental clinic in your area. Based on the site you live in and the type of dental treatment you need, you can receive affordable dental care even if you need to pay out through your pockets.
Open an HSA Before Enrolling in Medicare
If you’re older than 65, it is possible to think about opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) for when you’re in the high-deductible health insurance. Unfortunately, if you enroll in Medicare, you’re not able to be a contributor to an HSA. However, you could save money to pay for costs, including qualified dental care.
Look for Discounted Services
Get in touch with the local department of health. They could have information about ways to get affordable dental care. Also, if you are at an institution of dentistry or a nearby university, you can contact them to find out if they offer free or low-cost dental clinics.
Conclusion
Oral health is an integral aspect of a fit person. If you’re searching for dental insurance through Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans offer certain kinds of insurance to provide basic dental insurance, but not all. In addition, there are numerous distinct dental plans available to you. Ensure that you’ve read the details for each plan before signing on to the policy.
If you feel there’s a lot that you may have to go through to enroll in a dental treatment-specific plan, our licensed agents specializing in Medicare can assist you. They will identify your medical need before suggesting a suitable plan. Get in touch now!
