Does Medicare cover dental work? The short answer: no. The long answer: it depends, and you have plenty of other coverage options.
The question of, “Does Medicare cover dental?” is a common one. Medicare by itself does not pay for the vast majority of dental costs, including: dentures, fillings, cleanings, and tooth extraction. However, Medicare will cover pre-surgery dental exams and jaw/mouth repair. In addition, Medicare will also foot the bill for a hospital stay that necessitates dental work. Unfortunately, you’ll still be left to cover the expenses of the dental work yourself.
So what exactly is Medicare good for? Well, for starters Medicare consists of two parts: A and B. These parts together will cover the costs of “medically necessary care.” Medically necessary care entails any care that is designed to treat or diagnose a condition or illness. Due to this stipulation on Medicare coverage, things like dental and vision are often not covered by Medicare. So, does Medicare cover dental? No, but you should still be visiting your dentist regularly to maintain good oral health.
Now that we’ve answered the ‘Does Medicare cover dental?’ question, it’s time to look at your other options for dental coverage.
You have three main options when it comes to helping cover the cost of dental work: Medicare advantage, dental insurance, and Medigap. Medicare advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a popular option. You can purchase this coverage through a private insurance company, as long as you already have Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Part C covers a wide variety of things, from yearly dental exams to prescription medication. Dental insurance is another great option. You can purchase this coverage on your own, or through your employer.With this option, keep in mind that you might have to choose a dentist from a list of approved providers.
The purpose of Medigap is to offset the cost of things Medicare does not cover, like co-pays and deductibles. When you sign up for Medigap, you pay a monthly premium just like with any other insurance. Medigap will also pick up the remaining tab after Medicare pays for covered medical services. For this particular dental care option, you MUST already have Medicare Parts A and B.
So, what’s your best option when it comes to dental care coverage?
There really isn’t a clear answer. It all depends on where you live, your budget, and your unique dental history.
Prices for any type of dental coverage will vary dramatically from state to state, and provider to provider. So, here are some helpful resources to get started on your dental coverage search!
Do you live in the Seattle, Washington area? Are you looking for the right dentist for yourself or your family? If so, contact us today! We can provide you with high quality dental care at a fair price.