- You can find the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare after signing up for a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan
- Medicare Advantage dental insurance plans generally cost less than $400 per year, but Medigap dental plans may cost more per month
- Cigna is a top dental insurance company for seniors on Medicare
Is dental covered by Medicare? Original Medicare does not cover dental. However, you may find senior medical insurance on Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans.
If you need some quick Medicare health insurance advice, you have come to the right place. You will find an explanation for when Medicare covers dental insurance for seniors. You will also discover how to save on your out-of-pocket expenses when you buy dental insurance for seniors on Medicare.
Read on for advice about how to find affordable dental insurance for seniors on Medicare. We also share information about the best dental insurance companies for seniors.
When does Medicare cover dental?
Your Medicare plan will generally cover dental care in two situations. The first is if you have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that includes dental. The second is an emergency involving Medicare Part A.
Depending on your Medicare plan, you may need to purchase supplemental insurance to cover any dental work you need.
Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) does not include dental coverage. However, Medicare Part A will help pay for medical procedures. For example, it may cover reconstructive dental surgery that requires a hospital stay.
Medicare Advantage (otherwise known as Medicare Part C) often offers all the coverages of Original Medicare and assistance for the elderly on Medicare. It also includes dental, hearing, and vision.
Not all Medicare Advantage plans will offer senior medical insurance, but about 88% do. Also, the carrier you choose may offer separate dental coverage at an affordable rate.
Medigap plans, otherwise known as supplemental Medicare insurance, will not cover dental. These plans help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses with Original Medicare. However, some companies that offer Medigap policies will also include extra dental insurance.
You generally have three options for getting regular dental coverage if you are on Medicare:
- Choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental.
- Add on dental coverage through your health insurance company, if possible.
- Purchase a separate dental insurance policy through your dental care provider or another insurance company.
You should choose the option that will save you money while providing all the coverage you will need.
How much do Medicare dental plans cost?
First, how much does dental Medicare Advantage coverage cost? On average, you may pay $350 for dental coverage with Medicare Advantage dental plans. Rates will vary by state. However, your coverage may be under $400 per year ($29 per month) regardless.
If you have senior medical insurance under the Medigap plan, you may pay more per month but have fewer out-of-pocket expenses.
Since you will need to purchase a dental insurance policy with a private company no matter which Medicare plan you choose, the rates also depend on the company and level of dental coverage.
Also, you may need to pay deductibles, copays or coinsurance. There might be other out-of-pocket expenses for some procedures.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 53% of Medicare beneficiaries use dental services. Of that group, beneficiaries had to spend an average of $874 out-of-pocket.
For more about dental costs for seniors, read on for a list of companies that offer dental insurance for seniors. We include some sample quotes for dental insurance for seniors on Medicare.
Which insurance companies offer good dental insurance for seniors?
Many insurance companies offer dental plans for seniors. Here’s some information for 11 popular companies:
Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare: Insurance Rates, Coverage Limits, Availability
| Company | Number of Plans Offered | Yearly Coverage Limit (1) | Deductible | Coinsurance Percentage (2) | Average Monthly Rates | Waiting Period (3) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna | 2 | $1,250 | $50-$100 | 20%-50% | $0-$75 | Up to one year | 50 states |
| Aflac | 3 | $1,600 | $0-$50 | 20%-30% | $37.50 | Up to two years | 50 states |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 2 | $2,500 | $0 | Varies | $35-$51.30 | Six to 12 months | 50 states |
| Cigna | 3 | $1,500 | $50 | Varies | $35 | Six to 12 months | 50 states |
| Delta Dental (AARP) | 1 | $1,500 | $0 | 0% | $21.43 | None | 50 states |
| DentaQuest | 3 | $1,250 | $100-$200 | 40% | $23.97 | Six to 18 months | 28 states |
| Humana | 3 | Varies | $50-$100 | 50% | $44 | Zero to six months | 50 states |
| Kaiser Permanente | 4 | $2,000 | $25 | 20%-50% | $32 | Unspecified | 50 states |
| Mutual of Omaha | 2 | $1,500 | $50 | 20%-50% | $56.91 | Up to one year | 50 states |
| Renaissance Dental | 3 | $1,000 | $50 | 50% | $44 | Six to 12 months | 50 states |
| UnitedHealth Group | 4 | $1,000-$3,000 | $50-$100 | 20%-30% | $0-100 | Four to 12 months | 47 states |
Some notes:
(1) Coverage limits, deductibles, and average rates are based on the plans that offer the most coverage. Also, these companies may provide coverage for Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental insurance plans, or both.
(2) Most preventive services are free at the point of service.
(3) Waiting periods will vary by procedure type and state.
For example, Cigna mentions that West Virginia has a three-month waiting period for basic, major, and orthodontic dental procedures. Rhode Island has no waiting period. Simple dental procedures generally have no waiting periods in most states.
Which companies offer the best senior medical insurance and dental insurance for seniors on Medicare?
You may often see Delta Dental, Cigna, and Aetna in lists for companies offering the best dental insurance for seniors in any given year.
AARP partners with Delta Dental Group to provide dental coverage for its senior members. AARP members have guaranteed acceptance for Delta Dental. Also, insurance deductibles with the company can be as low as $0.
Cigna is a top dental insurance company for Seniors on Medicare because it offers 24/7 service. It also waives waiting periods for fillings with prior proof of insurance.
With the Cigna Dental 1500 plan, you can see any dentist you want. However, you can save money by visiting a dentist in the Cigna network.
Aetna’s main advantage may be that it has the most expansive coverage network.
How to save on Medicare dental insurance?
If you want to save on dental insurance with Medicare, these are your best options:
- Choose a Medicare Advantage plan that offers dental insurance coverage. These plans usually cost less than standalone dental insurance.
- Sign up for Original Medicare and Medigap coverage with add-on dental insurance as soon as you are eligible. You will avoid late fees. Moreover, Medigap offers the best rates during your first period of eligibility, regardless of your health history.
- Enroll in a dental discount plan if you need dental work that exceeds your insurance limits. However, you will pay an extra fee per month. Also, these plans only work within specific dental practices.
Additionally, you can save money by staying within your dental insurance company’s network for care. You may need to talk to your dental practitioner to learn their rates, find discounts, and set up manageable payment schedules.
Ultimately, you need to look at each senior medical insurance and dental plan available to you and choose one based on your needs.
Find policies that offer preventive care, and reasonable annual benefit limits. There are some that offer discounts programs. Also, compare quotes from companies that provide dental insurance and assistance for seniors on Medicare.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare
Here are some answers to common questions you may have about Medicare dental plans for seniors:
#1 – Where can I find dentists near me that accept Medicare?
Usually, the dental insurance company you choose will tell you which doctors are in its network, including dentists that take Medicare near you.
It’s easiest to find out where you can find dentists that accept Medicare if you choose a dental insurance company that has specialized plans for seniors or Medicare recipients.
#2 – Should I enroll in a dental discount program with a Medicare dentist near me?
It depends on how much dental work you need during the year or over an extended period. Many dental plans have yearly coverage limits for major dental procedures.
If you go over the limit, you are responsible for out-of-pocket costs. See if your insurance company or dentist offers discount programs.
Original Article: Here
Written by
Jeffrey Johnson
