Whether you’ve already retired or you’re preparing for retirement, you’ll want to make sure that you’re teeth are taken care of. Dental care can be notoriously expensive, and many private insurance plans don’t offer comprehensive dental coverage. So, what happens once you qualify for Medicare? Does Medicare provide dental coverage? If so, how much dental coverage can you expect with Parts A, B, or C? Read on to find out.
Generally speaking, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. So, if you’re due for a teeth cleaning, you can’t expect Medicare Part A to foot the bill. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. Part A covers inpatient procedures at a hospital or qualifying healthcare facility. Thus, if you require some kind of dental care or dental procedure as part of a qualifying inpatient treatment, Part A will likely cover it. However, it’s important to remember that your doctor must deem the dental care to be “medically necessary” for it to be covered.
Like Part A, Medicare Part B does not cover most kinds of dental care like routine cleanings or dentures. However, if you find yourself in need of emergency outpatient dental care, Medicare Part B may cover it. If your care does not present a medical emergency or is not required as part of another covered treatment, you cannot expect Medicare Part B to cover the cost. Thus, Original Medicare provides very little in the way of dental coverage for most Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, offers the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B — plus a few extras. Though every Medicare Advantage plan is a little different, many plans offer some form of dental coverage. For those plans that do offer dental coverage, you will likely get full or partial coverage for routine dental exams, cleanings, x-rays, and even dentures. However, you’ll need to check with your plan provider to see exactly what kind of dental care is covered.
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While Original Medicare may not offer much in the way of dental coverage, many Medicare Advantage plans offer older adults a better way to pay for dental care. We are currently nearing the end of the 2021 Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which means you can still switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan that provides better dental coverage for a short time. Don’t forget that the deadline for the Medicare Advantage OEP is March 31st, so be sure to make any changes while you still can!
If you’d like to learn more about Medicare dental coverage or your Medicare coverage options, feel free to fill out this form or give us a call anytime. Time for 65’s partnered licensed agents are focused on giving you the information you need, with zero pressure to enroll in a plan.
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