Does Medicare cover dental?
Trying to find out if Medicare covers dental care?
If you’re approaching retirement age or your eligibility for Medicare, you’ve probably realized there’s a lot to learn about your benefits for retirement. It can be a confusing process for some to learn about Medicare Part A for hospitals and Part B for doctors or Part D for prescriptions. There’s also donut holes, Medicare Advantage plans, and other supplemental plans to consider.
An often overlooked benefit that most should consider is dental coverage. Does Medicare cover routine dental services?
Medicare does not cover routine dental care
The answer is actually surprising to some in that Medicare does not provide coverage for routine dental care. While the major pieces of Medicare such as Part A and Part B cover many health related services that are vital to one’s well being, it in fact does not help with dental services such as bi-annual exams, x-rays, bridges, or dentures.
Most people realize that dental health and hygiene can typically have a big impact on your overall health and well being. Just ask someone with a tooth ache. So what are seniors who are eligible for Medicare able to do for dental coverage?
Private dental insurance plans for seniors
Fortunately there are a wide variety of private dental plans available for seniors on Medicare. These range from full coverage dental plans with top carriers like Delta Dental and Renaissance Dental to affordable discount dental plans with Careington Dental. The main thing to consider is the types of dental treatments you anticipate versus the cost of monthly premiums.
In basic terms, if you think you may need costly treatments such as root canals, bridges, or dentures, then a dental insurance plan may be the way to go because they provide annual benefits payable to dentists. Or if you anticipate fewer dental services and are more concerned about plan costs due to being on a fixed income, then a discount dental plan may be a better option. Discount dental plans do not make payments to dental providers, but they allow members to receive significant discounts on dental services with In Network dentists.
Compare dental plans to find the best option for you
One of the easiest ways to find the best dental plan for seniors is to compare plan options. Often, a side by side comparison of plan options can help you to see the differences in benefits and determine the right dental plan option for you.
At EasyDentalQuotes, we are pleased to offer a variety of plan options for seniors with no plan limitations or price adjustments due to age. There are also helpful tools and information for plan comparisons, provider searches, and more. Regardless of where you perform plan searches, it’s always important to look for top carriers and reliable sources for support and assistance.
So as you begin the process of evaluating your benefit options for retirement, it’s always good to consider all aspects of care to make sure your essential health needs are covered, including dental care. And with a little effort, you can be sure to find the best coverage to ensure you keep a smile on your face.
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