Many Medicare recipients are uncertain as to whether dental care is covered. Sadly, regular dental care is not covered by Original Medicare. You do have choices when it comes to Medicare dental coverage, though. To cover cleanings, exams, and other Emergency Dental services, you can buy a dental plan in addition to your Original Medicare if you choose to keep it.
Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan with dental health benefits is an additional choice for dental coverage. Dental Insurance is not a feature of all Medicare Advantage plans, but many do.
Does Medicare cover Dental Care?
Routine Dental Treatment is not covered under Original Medicare only if Dental services required for another medical procedure and deemed medically necessary by a doctor will be covered by Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
Moreover, dental work connected to or included in an emergency may be covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. For instance, as part of reconstructive jaw surgery following an accident, Medicare would fund tooth extractions.
Medicare does not cover the following dental procedures or services:
- Oral surgery
- Dentures
- Dental implants
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Oral exams
- Teeth cleaning
- Orthodontics
- Invisible aligners
- Root canal treatment
- Abscess tooth
The majority of Medicare consumers countrywide do not have dental insurance, according to KFF.org. You have options if you have Medicare and need assistance with your dental bills.
- A Medicare Advantage plan that offers dental coverage benefits.
- An individual dental plan.
- Plans for dental, vision, and hearing.
- A dental discount plan might save you money on services even though it isn't insurance.
Supplemental Dental Coverage in Medicare
To acquire reimbursement for emergency dental services when registered in a Medicare Supplement plan, you must buy a separate dental plan or use dental discount options. Your policy will only cover the medical expenses that Original Medicare does not cover because Medigap plans are extensions of Original Medicare coverage. Dental insurance is not included in this.
There are many fantastic options available for people with Medicare Supplement plans who also desire dental coverage. Cigna, Manhattan Life, Aetna, and National General are popular dental plan carriers.
Even if going to the dentist isn't something we look ahead to the most, it is an essential component of our health. A solid dental plan might make it easier for you to afford costly procedures and keep up with preventive care.