Are you currently eligible for Medicare, or will you turn 65 in 2019?
If yes, do you know Original Medicare Part A and Part B does not cover routine dental treatment and maintenance?
Dental insurance must be purchased separately. That’s why it, along with vision and hearing, is referred to as supplemental coverage.
As the name suggests, these are add-ons to basic Medicare.
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance and Part B is medical insurance. Part A only covers dental care if your doctor determines it is medically necessary at that time.
Learn more about our federal health care program for older Americans in the Medicare & You guidebook.
Pay now or pay later
To save money, people with healthy mouths often skip dental coverage.
However, just as they tend to need eye and hearing care as they age, they are also likely to need oral health care, as well.
Nobody looks forward to visiting the dentist. However, dental insurance can help you avoid complex, expensive and painful procedures down the road. Therefore, it is in your best interests to get it.
Fortunately, you have options.
One of them is Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. These are growing in popularity among those who are Medicare-eligible.
Medicare Advantage dental benefits
Unlike Original Medicare, MA plans are offered by private insurers, though with Medicare oversight.
These plans incorporate Original Medicare Parts A and B (hospital and medical coverage) and often Part D (prescription drug coverage).
Also called Medicare Part C, an MA with dental benefits typically covers the following:
- Dentist visits
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Dentures
Other dental care options
If you wish to keep Original Medicare Parts A and B, a Medigap plan could provide you with basic dental coverage.
A third possibility is to purchase a separate (stand-alone) dental plan.
In closing, Medicare can be very confusing. It’s not a good idea to try and figure it out on your own.
An experienced AmeriLife agent can help you sort through these options to find the one that best suits your needs.
Connect with an agent today.
