When your dental care costs exceed the limit of your insurance, supplemental dental insurance can help you save. Find the best supplemental insurance option.
Depending on your circumstances, you might want a supplemental coverage plan only for a year or two – perhaps to help pay for orthodontia (braces) or expensive care such as dental implants. Or you may need continual coverage – typically people who are on Medicare choose to add a supplemental plan that covers their dental care.
Unfortunately, original Medicare has extremely limited dental coverage. Medicare Part A provides coverage if you need to be hospitalized, and Part B provides medical coverage. Dental procedures that are connected with healthcare are covered by Medicare – such as a dental cleaning performed before transplant surgery, or an extraction required as part of the treatment plan to address another disease such as medical reconstruction of the jawbone.
Medicare typically does not cover emergency dental care, even if it is performed in a hospital, but it likely will cover the hospital costs. Medicare does not routine dental care, such as dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and dentures.
You should also be aware that Medigap plans, supplemental health insurance purchased from private company to pay health care costs not covered by Original Medicare. such as co-payments, deductibles, and health care if you travel outside the U.S – typically do not cover senior dental care.
Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are provided by private companies that have been approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans must provide all of all of the services that Original Medicare covers except hospice care. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, like vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). In addition to the Medicare Part B premium, people typically pay a monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage Plan. In 2016, the Part B premium is $104.90 each month.