The answer is yes and no. Apart from Original Medicare not covering dental care services, there are no Medicare dental plans to buy. Original Medicare does not cover dental services such as X-rays and tooth cleaning, not to mention more specialized treatments for dentures, extractions, and fillings, among others. Nevertheless, you can still obtain dental care services under certain types of Medicare plans.
Which Medicare Plans Offer Dental Coverage?
Medicare Part C is also referred to as Medicare Advantage Plans and may cover dental. These plans are bought from private insurance companies that are approved by the government Medicare program. Aside from offering extra services and programs that Original Medicare does not cover, Medicare Advantage Plans may include vision care services and Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage Plans work the same way as traditional health plans when it comes to coverage and cost. For instance, there are such plans as POS, PPOs, HMOs, and more. Additionally, these plans can include coinsurance, copays, and deductibles.
It is, however, worth noting that not all plans of Medicare Advantage offer dental coverage. For this reason, it is advisable to check what the plan you are interested in covers before signing up. In other words, if you are interested in Medicare dental coverage, ensure the Part C plan you settle on offers the dental coverage you are looking for.
Under What Circumstances Does Original Medicare Offer Dental Coverage?
Original Medicare consists of hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B), and as mentioned earlier, it does not cover dental care services. However, there is an instance where Parts A and B may offer dental care services – if you sustained a serious injury that also had an impact on your mouth, jaw, and teeth and had to spend some time in the hospital. That said, it is important to go through the details of your Medicare plan and understand exactly what it would cover in the event you are involved in an accident.
Do Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies Offer Dental Coverage?
Medicare Supplement Insurance or Medigap is a private health insurance policy that helps cover certain costs that Parts A and B do not. It helps pay coinsurance, copays, and deductibles for Parts A and B. It also helps pay for additional out-of-pocket costs for such things as lab costs, durable medical equipment, home healthcare, hospitalizations, and doctor’s services, among others. However, Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies do not cover dental care services.
What Dental Care Services Are Likely To Be Covered by Medicare Part C?
You now know that when it comes to dental coverage and Medicare, only certain kinds of Medicare Part C plans may offer coverage for dental care services. However, you must note that Part C does not cover all dental care services, the coverage it offers is normally basic and may include but is not limited to:
- Fillings
- Teeth cleaning
- Extractions
- Routine X-rays
Since Medicare Advantage Plans may differ, depending on your location and the insurance company, it is recommended that you go through all details thoroughly of any Part C plan before enrolling. Another thing to note is that dental coverage usually has limits on the number of dental care services covered annually as well as maximum cost allowances, among others.
Since Medicare Does Not Include Dental Coverage, How Do I Get It Then?
Fortunately, there are various options that offer dental coverage.
- Standalone Dental Plan
Dental insurance plans are available in many different types, and they are offered by private insurance companies. What’s even better, they come with affordable monthly premiums. For example, basic dental plans may provide preventive dental coverage with lower monthly premiums.
- Walk-in Dental Clinic
Walk-in dental clinics are relatively affordable and located in easy-to-access places, such as shopping malls and restaurants. Most of these walk-in dental clinics provide affordable dental care services that you can consider even if you are paying out-of-pocket.
- Local Dental School
A dental university program or dental school usually offers low-cost or even free dental clinics to the community. That said, if one is near where you live, you can reach out to them and ask if they offer such kinds of dental care services.
- State Department of Health
State Department of Health often features an oral health page, which, in return, has information on where you can access affordable dental care services in your area. You can, therefore, check with them to find options for low-cost dental care services nearby.
Furthermore, you may open a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you are below 65 and have a high-deductible health plan. Although you can longer contribute to your HSA once you have enrolled in Medicare, you can certainly use the amount you have saved over time to cater to dental care services.
Bottom Line
Original Medicare does not include dental coverage. Therefore, if you are looking for Medicare dental coverage, you should consider certain types of Medicare Advantage Plans. These plans often offer basic dental care only, hence, it is imperative that you conduct extensive research and know the details of the plan you are interested in buying.
