Your teeth are an important part of your health. But once you retire, you may lose your dental insurance coverage. So, how can you make sure you’re not paying too much out of pocket for your dental care?
Some Medicare plans may be able to help. Let’s cover the dental options for each type of plan to help you decide on the best route for your needs.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Part A and B) doesn’t cover routine dental care. If you need a cleaning, a filling, dentures, or treatment for a general toothache, you will have to pay out of pocket.
In some cases, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may cover some dental care that you get while staying in the hospital. Other times, Part A may cover an inpatient hospital stay for a dental procedure, but it won’t cover the cost of the dental work.
Medicare Advantage
Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) will cover dental care, including cleanings, x-rays, extractions, and fillings. However, it’s essential to check each plan carefully to see what services they cover.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered through private insurance companies. They include the same coverage as Original Medicare, plus extra services like dental, vision, and hearing.
Remember that if your Medicare Advantage Plan does have dental coverage, it may also have deductibles, premiums, and copays for that coverage. You may also have restrictions on which dentists you can see based on the plan. The bottom line: Make sure you review all the coverage details before making a decision.
Dental-Only Insurance Plans
For some people, a dental-only insurance plan is the best option. These are standalone dental plans that can cover routine dental care like cleanings, as well as more complex procedures like crowns or root canals. You can enroll in these standalone plans in addition to Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plans.
Next Steps
If you still have questions about Medicare, we’re ready to help. Please call us at 305.541.5366 to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Medicare plans offered through LEON Health.
