Dental – A Huge Hole in Original Medicare
Dental coverage isn’t included in Original Medicare (unless it’s medically necessary) or Medicare supplement plans, so seniors must look at alternatives for dental benefits. Finding good dental coverage for seniors covered by Medicare can seem like a difficult task. Most seniors are unaware that obtaining dental coverage when you’re on Medicare isn’t that difficult, limited, or very expensive. In fact, there are two different options to take pursue in order to find inexpensive dental insurance options.
You could choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). often Medicare Advantage plans include vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage benefits. These benefits are bundled together, so any premiums will be included in your low (to no) Medicare Advantage premium payment. Although you should be aware that dental benefits are usually limited to things like cleanings, exams, and X-rays. If it’s your desire to obtain more comprehensive coverage benefits , you may need to add a separate stand-alone dental insurance policy.
Your second option would be to acquire a stand-alone dental policy. Dental insurance policies for seniors are offered by private insurance companies and they don’t need to be coordinated with your Medicare coverage or Medigap plan. The policy will have it’s own separate premium, but most dental plans are affordable in relationship to the benefits that they provide.
How Much Can I Expect to Pay for Senior Dental Coverage?
Should you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, the MA plan may already include dental benefits. If you are enrolled in Original Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan doesn’t cover dental, the cost of an individual dental insurance plans for a senior over 65 will depend on the level of benefits you choose. Monthly premiums will range from $18 to $40.
What Does Dental Covearge for Seniors Cover?
Some dental insurance for seniors will cover a variety of services. The coverage level (100%, 80%, 60%, or 50%) will be dependent on the type of dental service provided and the level of benefits which you have chosen for yourself (low option or high option). These are some of services which can be included and covered in your individual dental insurance plan.
Preventive - Type I Services
- Exams
- Cleanings
- Bitewing Films
- Vertical Bitewings
- Full Mouth Series X-Rays
Basic - Type II Services
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Emergency Treatment of Pain
- Partial Denture Sectioning
- Local Anesthesia
- Nitrous Oxide Inhalation
- Occlusion and Occlusion Adjustment
Major - Type III Services
- Root Canals
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Full Dentures
- Full Mouth Extractions
- Endodontic Treatment
- Pulp Caps & Pulpotomy
- Root Canal and/or Endodontic Treatment
- Oral Surgical Procedures
- The Extraction of Erupted Teeth
- The Removal of Impacted Teeth
- Smooth & Reshape the Jaw Bone (Alveoloplasty)
- Removal of a Cyst/Tumor
- The Incision and/or Drainage of an Abscess
- Prosthodontic Procedures
- Partial or Complete Dentures
- The Adjustment and/or Denture Repair
- Periodontic Procedures
- Gingivenctomy and or Gingivoplasty
- Procedures of the Gingival Flap
- Graft of the Soft Tissue
- Root Scaling and/or Root Planing
- Debridement of the Full Mouth to Allow Evaluation and/or Diagnosis
These are just some examples of the many covered services dental insurance plans provide for seniors. Make sure you review your dental insurance policy to find out what benefits are provided.
How About Dental Discount Plans?
Discount dental plans can be sold by private insurance companies, but they are not insurance policies. There will be no co-pays, coinsurance amounts, or deductibles. That usually means that there are no fixed benefit levels or free yearly checkups and cleanings. The participating dentist simply agrees to offer a discount (often a fixed percentage off based on the service type) for certain dental services. The member who chooses the discount plan will pay the dentist directly for the discounted service price.
Discount plans can be a good alternative for dental insurance because:
- They are inexpensive in comparison.
- They have no deductibles or co-payments.
- There are no waiting periods in Discount Plans.
- There are no limits to how often you can see or change dentists.
Dental Discount plans vary in coverage, but they can include:
- Cleanings(possibly free)
- Checkups
- X-rays
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Root Canals
- Extractions
Dental discount plans usually also include other things, such as discounts for vision, hearing and prescriptions.
Where to Find Dental Plans for People on Medicare?
If you’re looking for dental insurance for seniors over 65, start with SecureCare65. We represent insurance companies with plans specifically designed for seniors as well as numerous discount dental plan providers, and we have licensed dental insurance agents available by phone or email. You can call us at 1-800-354-1078 or request a quote online today.
