Does Medicare Cover Dental Work?

Does Medicare cover dental? That is a question that is often asked by Medicare beneficiaries. After all, dental work is widely used among many people. Medicare can be confusing regarding what is covered and what is not. If you’re focused on having exceptional oral health, it’s essential to know your options with Medicare. Keep reading to find out if Medicare covers dental work!

Medicare Coverage of Dental Work

The answer to if Medicare covers dental work is yes and no. Original Medicare will not cover most dental work. If you’re looking to get teeth cleaning, x-rays, fillings, dentures, extractions, or other routine dental services – Medicare will not cover them. However, the dental treatment Medicare covers are medically necessary services related to health conditions. There are ways you can get these services covered if you need them.

Does Any Medicare Plan Cover Dental?

So now that you know that Original Medicare does not cover routine dental services, are there any other Medicare plans that cover dental work? Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra programs like dental coverage. Before you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure that the one you are looking at includes dental coverage if that is something you need. Not all Medicare Advantage plans offer dental coverage. Also, read the details on what the plan ensures you are getting for other services.

The dental coverage for Medicare Advantage plans can include:

  • Teeth cleaning
  • Extractions
  • X-rays
  • Fillings

Does Original Medicare Not Cover Dental at All?

Original Medicare is made up of Part A and Part B, which covers hospital insurance and medical insurance. These parts typically do not cover routine dental care. However, suppose you were in a traumatic injury that injured your teeth, mouth, or jaw and needed to go to the hospital. In that case, Original Medicare may cover some of that treatment. Dental coverage may come with specific requirements.

How Else Can You Get Dental Coverage?

If you like your current Medicare plan and don’t want to change it, you can also find dental coverage in a few other ways:

  1. You can buy a separate dental plan from a private insurance company. They offer many plans to choose from. The premium amount will depend on the coverage and benefits you select.
  2. You can go to an affordable walk-in dentistry clinic in your area. These affordable dentistry clinics allow you to receive dentist work at a lower price.
  3. Check-in with your state department of health. You can see if they offer information on where you can receive affordable dental services.
  4. You can contact local dental schools and see if they have any low-cost dental clinics that you can receive dental work at.
  5. Before you turn 65, you can open an HSA account if you have a high deductible plan.

Once you’re enrolled in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. However, you can use all that money you’ve saved in there for medical expenses such as eligible dental care.

Conclusion

Having good oral health is very important. If you’re trying to get routine dental coverage through Medicare, you will not receive coverage through Original Medicare. However, you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan to cover some of your dental care that would not be covered as medical.

There are also a few other options like going to an affordable walk-in dentistry clinic, checking with your state department of health, going to a dental university’s low-cost dental clinic, or using funds from your HSA account. When you’re looking into getting dental coverage, make sure you shop around and read the details on the plans before you enroll in one.

Post Author: Angel Ethan