Many people assume that Medicare covers dental care. The truth is that Medicare only covers dental services in very specific instances. Many US seniors have no plan to care for their teeth and mouths. In my opinion, this is a very important part of overall health too.
It is very alarming to realize that traditional Medicare barely covers dental services at all. In the case of another illness or injury, some related dental care may be covered. But for the normal routine stuff that is so important, like filling cavities or cleaning teeth, there is no coverage.
This is a big probem. And it is not just a problem that Medicare beneficiaries, like the elderly or disabled people, have. It affects 100 million people in the USA.
In some cases, seniors do have dental care covered. They may belong to a Medicare Advantage plan with some benefits. Or they may have a health or dental plan from a job they retired from.
One way to find some answers about your benefits is to visit Medicare.gov. This resource is great and has lots of answers. Other questions may be answered by your own individual supplemental carriers. At least you will know what you are entitled to, and what you lack. It is probably always better to know rather than guess.
If you lack dental benefits, you have some options. Some private dental insurance companies sell plans to older people. There are also dental discount plans which can help you cut costs. You may also find some foundations or community based dental services for the elderly. You should know that insurance plans still may have waiting periods, copays and deductibles. You will have to pay a premium, and may still have uncovered expenses with that. A dental discount plan can help you save money, but you must understand that it is not the same as denta insurance. If you can find some low cost clinics for Medicare beneficiaries, they can really help you save money.
Read up on Medicare Dental Benefits. You can find out more about Medcare supplements or Medicare Advantage.