Medicare doesn't cover most dental care, dental procedures, or supplies, like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you're in a hospital.
Full Answer
Which Medicare Advantage plans cover dental?
The Modern Medicare Agency offers dental options that go beyond employer coverage. Dental insurance is especially important to ... Also, clients can take advantage of various amounts of tax-deferred growth. Agent Paul Barrett decided to pursue a license ...
What are dentist services covered by Medicare?
The WDA explains that the ideal dental plan contains provisions for three categories of treatment:
- Preventative, diagnostic, and emergency services such as cleanings, x-rays, and other oral wellness services. Coverage is usually around 100 percent.
- Basic restorative dental care such as fillings, oral surgery, periodontal treatment, and root canal therapy. ...
- Major restorative dental care such as crowns, bridges, dentures, and orthodontics. ...
Does Medicare offer dental coverage?
Original Medicare, or Medicare Parts A and B, does not offer coverage for dental and vision services in the vast majority of circumstances. Medicare Part A does cover all medically necessary services received in the hospital, but this is not the usual setting for dental or vision care.
What dental benefits are covered under Denti-Cal?
Medi-Cal Dental Program
- Diagnostic and preventive dental hygiene (e.g. ...
- Emergency services for pain control;
- Tooth extractions;
- Fillings;
- Root canal treatments (anterior/posterior);
- Crowns (prefabricated/laboratory);
- Scaling and root planning;
- Periodontal maintenance;
- Complete and partial dentures; and
- Orthodontics for children who qualify.
Learn more about your benefits
Tanya Feke, MD, is a board-certified family physician, patient advocate and best-selling author of "Medicare Essentials: A Physician Insider Explains the Fine Print."
Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
When it comes to Medicare, you have two main options. You can either enroll in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. You cannot have both. Understanding the difference is important when it comes to dental care.
What Is Medicare Part B Dental?
Unfortunately, Medicare Parts A and B do not cover preventive dental care like routine exams, cleanings, root canals, extractions, or X-rays. They will only cover specific dental services required for other medical procedures or conditions.
Low-Cost Dental Options
According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly half of Medicare enrollees go without dental coverage. Of those who do have coverage, only 29% get it from a Medicare Advantage plan, and they spent an average of $874 in out-of-pocket costs in 2018. One in five of them spend more than $1,000 each year. 9
Summary
Medicare Parts A and B dental coverage is limited, and many people turn to Medicare Advantage plans for dental benefits. Those benefits vary from plan to plan and are often limited by a cap on spending.
A Word From Verywell
Dental health is important to your overall health. Don’t let dental coverage pass you by. You may need to be proactive and look for low-cost options where you live. Many organizations offer coverage for older adults.
What is the dental exclusion?
Section 1862 (a) (12) of the Social Security Act states, "where such expenses are for services in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, except that payment may be made under part A in the case of inpatient hospital services in connection ...
What is the structure that supports the teeth?
Definition. Structures directly supporting the teeth means the periodontium , which includes the gingivae, periodontal membrane, cementum of the teeth, and the alveolar bone (i.e. alveolar process and tooth sockets). Page Last Modified: 11/19/2013 03:03 AM.
Did the dental exclusion include foot care?
In establishing the dental exclusion, Congress did not limit the exclusion to routine dental services, as it did for routine physical checkups or routine foot care, but instead it included a blanket exclusion of dental services.
Does Medicare pay for dental implants?
Currently, Medicare will pay for dental services that are an integral part either of a covered procedure (e.g., reconstruction of the jaw following accidental injury), or for extractions done in preparation for radiation treatment for neoplastic diseases involving the jaw.
Medicare and a Lack of Dental Coverage
Unfortunately, having Medicare doesn’t always help with this issue. According to Medicare.gov, this federal health insurance program typically does not cover dental care, procedures, or supplies.
Medicare Part B Dental Benefits
On the other hand, if the physician conducts the examination needed prior to kidney transplant or heart valve replacement, the CMS states that Part B benefits will apply.
Medicare Advantage Dental Policies
One exception to the dental exclusions under Original Medicare’s parts A and B is Medicare Advantage. Commonly referred to as Part C, these types of policies are offered by private insurance companies and are intended to cover all of the same basic expenses participants receive under the Original Medicare plan.
Dental Coverage Through PACE
PACE is another type of Medicare program that provides some level of dental coverage.
A Stand-Alone Dental Plan
Whether you need dental services not covered under a Medicare plan or you don’t qualify for Medicare coverage options that would pay for some or all of your dental care needs, you always have the option of purchasing a stand-alone dental plan.
What percentage of retirees retain dental insurance?
Roughly 10% of retirees retain dental coverage from their former employer or a spouse’s employer. But there are other options available for seniors who don’t have access to employer-sponsored dental coverage. Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare for enrollees who want dental coverage. In 2021, 92% of Medicare Advantage plans ...
What can seniors do with no dental insurance?
Programs that help. For seniors who have no dental coverage, a variety of programs can help them obtain dental care: Dental schools will often provide treatment at a reduced price. ( Here’s a list of accredited dental schools in the United States.)
What is Medicare Advantage 2021?
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare for enrollees who want dental coverage. In 2021, 92% of Medicare Advantage plans provide at least some dental coverage. If you’re considering Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare + Medigap + Medicare Part D, be sure to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of both options.
How many dentists donate their time?
More than 15,000 dentists donate their time to provide dental care for patients who would not otherwise be able to afford treatment. Many dentists offer payment plans, or will refer patients to a credit source, often with low initial interest rates.
Can seniors get dental insurance with Medicaid?
For low-income seniors who are dual-eligible, limited dental benefits can be provided by Medicaid, but coverage varies considerably from state to state. Congressional legislation to add dental care to Medicare’s list of covered services has thus far not been successful. For seniors who have no dental coverage, a variety ...
Is dental insurance better than nothing?
But some coverage is better than nothing. Even with low benefit maximums, people who have dental insurance are more likely to receive routine preventive dental care, and are less likely to have untreated dental problems that get worse over time.
Does Medicare cover dental insurance?
Nearly two-thirds of Medicare enrollees have no dental insurance at all. That’s worrisome not just for oral health, but also for overall health. There’s a significant link between untreated dental disease and various other systemic ailments, including heart disease and diabetes.
Will Medicare pay for dental work?
Original Medicare covers a wide range of medical services and procedures. But routine dental care isn’t one of them.
Does Medigap insurance cover dental care?
Rarely. Medicare supplement plans — also known as Medigap plans — are private policies that Medicare beneficiaries can buy to cover out-of-pocket expenses from Medicare Parts A and B. There are 10 nationally standardized Medigap plans. Their job is to cover any deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance you may incur when using original Medicare.
Do Medicare Advantage policies cover dental care?
Yes. Many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental work, which is one reason they have grown in popularity over the years. Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage plans are private policies that bundle Parts A and B together and can provide extra coverage such as dental work, vision care, and hearing aids.
Does Medicaid cover dental care?
It can, but coverage varies state to state. It’s possible to have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. If you’re one of the 12 million Americans eligible for both programs, known as being dually eligible, Medicare is typically the insurer that pays first, and Medicaid acts as a secondary payer.
The bottom line
Traditional Medicare and most Medigap plans don’t cover dental care, but many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans do. You’ll still need to check which preventive care and advanced treatment benefits your MA plan covers — and how extensive the coverage is.
What Dental Services Are Covered by Medicare?
If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your dental care is covered only in specific cases. Medicare may pay for:
What Are the Medicare Dental Plans for Seniors?
While you may have heard the term “Medicare Dental coverage,” it’s not one of the federally funded parts of Medicare. That said, if you are over 65, there are plenty of ways to get dental insurance for seniors. Here are your options:
How Do I Get Dental Coverage With Medicare?
Now you can answer the question: Does Medicare cover dental? The next step is to figure out how to find dental insurance for seniors and enroll.
How to Find Dentists That Accept Medicare?
Have you ever asked: “Is there a dentist near me that accepts Medicare?” If so, wonder no more: There are several ways to find a dentist that accepts your coverage. Remember, if you only have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), your dental care probably isn’t covered.
What Is the Best Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare?
The answer here is based entirely on you. Start by considering your needs and budget. Some dental plans for seniors cover a lot but come with high monthly premiums; others are cheaper but don’t provide the same coverage for dental services.
Sources
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance.
What is Medicare Advantage Dental?
Understanding Medicare Advantage dental coverage. Dental care is a vital part of maintaining your health and well-being, especially as you age. And one of the main perks of joining a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan is that many plans offer dental coverage to help you keep up with your oral health.
How long does it take for Aetna to reimburse you for dental care?
You’ll pay for your dental care up front when you see a dentist, and then submit your receipts to Aetna to get reimbursed within four to six weeks. “With a direct member reimbursement allowance, you’re given a set amount of money to spend each year on dental care.”.
How long do you have to enroll in dental insurance in MA?
Members must enroll in this option when they enroll in their plan, or within 30 days of their plan’s start date.
Does Medicare cover dental cleanings?
Original Medicare, on the other hand, does not cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, X-rays, and fillings. Due to the relatively high out-of-pocket costs for these procedures, some older adults end up forgoing necessary dental care. There is one exception, however: If you need medical dental procedures while you’re in the hospital, ...
Does Aetna have dental insurance?
Dental benefits are already included in the majority of Aetna MA plans. For some Aetna MA plans that don’t include dental coverage, you may have the choice of paying extra each month for dental benefits. This is done through an optional supplemental benefit.
Statutory Dental Exclusion
Background
- The dental exclusion was included as part of the initial Medicare program. In establishing the dental exclusion, Congress did not limit the exclusion to routine dental services, as it did for routine physical checkups or routine foot care, but instead it included a blanket exclusion of dental services. The Congress has not amended the dental exclusion since 1980 when it made a…
Coverage Principle
- Coverage is not determined by the value or the necessity of the dental care but by the type of service provided and the anatomical structure on which the procedure is performed.
Services Excluded Under Part B
- The following two categories of services are excluded from coverage: A primary service (regardless of cause or complexity) provided for the care, treatment, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, e.g., preparation of the mouth for dentures, removal of diseased teeth in an infected jaw. A secondary service that is ...
Exceptions to Services Excluded
- The extraction of teeth to prepare the jaw for radiation treatment of neoplastic disease. An oral or dental examination performed on an inpatient basis as part of comprehensive workup prior to renal transplant surgery or performed in a RHC/FQHC prior to a heart valve replacement.
Definition
- Structures directly supporting the teeth means the periodontium, which includes the gingivae, periodontal membrane, cementum of the teeth, and the alveolar bone (i.e. alveolar process and tooth sockets).