At Malhotra & Assoc. Insurance, our expert insurance agents are here to make sure you get the coverage you need. That’s why in this article, we will be discussing what dental coverage you can expect from Medicare Part B and other alternative options.
Routine Dental Care
Dental care is one of the areas not currently covered by Medicare. While oral health is vital to overall wellness and can prevent gum disease and inflammation, your routine dental care and equipment are not covered by Medicare Part B. That means you pay the full cost for services, including those for cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, x-rays, and more.
Medicare Part B, your medical insurance, covers medically necessary and preventive care. That does not include dental, hearing, or vision care except in cases for which Medicare has deemed the procedure medically necessary.
If you want to lower your dental care costs and access the care you need, you can supplement your Medicare insurance by purchasing a supplemental dental insurance policy or by choosing a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits.
Medically Necessary Dental Care
Medicare Part A will cover services you receive in an inpatient hospital setting if they are medically necessary or needed for another procedure. For example, Medicare will cover jaw reconstruction after an accident or oral exams needed before a different, medically necessary procedure. If you receive any of these services under Part A, you will need to pay the full cost of your care until you have paid the Part A deductible.
Accessing Dental Care
Dental procedures can be expensive and may be difficult to afford on a fixed income. Paying a monthly premium for dental insurance is the way most people access the care they need affordably. Just as with medical insurance, not having dental insurance can prove to be a barrier to oral health care.
Often, people choose not to see their dentist for regular cleanings because the costs are so high. Not seeing your dentist can make any existing problems worse,
If you need orthodontics services, you may not even be able to access the treatment unless you carry dental insurance. The orthodontist practice wants to ensure that they will receive payment for the services they provide.
Get Dental Insurance
Medicare Advantage plans may offer supplemental benefit packages for dental care.
You can alternatively purchase a supplemental dental insurance plan. These plans come in individual packages, family packages, or discount plans and cover a wide range of dental care services. Coverage can include regular cleanings along with yearly x-rays and care for cavity fillings, extractions, implants, root canals, crowns, dental plates, dentures, and more.
Your costs will vary with each plan. Typical costs will include monthly plan premiums along with copayments or coinsurance for each service or item you receive. You should be able to review these costs for each procedure before you sign up with a plan, so you get the chance to compare policies for the best coverage.
For assistance in finding dental coverage or if you want to learn more about Medicare Part B, contact an agent with Malhotra and Assoc. Insurance. Our team is trained to find you the right package for your individual needs.
