How can American Medicare beneficiaries get good dental care? There are few benefits for this in their Medicare plans. But in my opion, good dental care is very important to keep people healthy and happy. How can we understand this issue?
In fact, these types of services will only be covered if they come about as part of an illness or injury. But simple things like getting regular checkups, teeth cleanings, and filling cavities are not covered by the original plan.
I do think this is alarming. It really is not just a problem for American senior citizens either. About one hundred million Americans lack a dental plan. Seniors and disabled people, who get Medicare benefits, are only a fraction of the number.
Now some Medicare Advantage (MA) plans do have limited dental benefits. Other supplemental insurance or retirement plans may help others. Individuals will have to check with their own plans to see what coverage they have.
You can always consult the Medicare website. It is a great resource for comparing benefits from the original plan, plus supplements and other types of coverage. You can also contact your private insurer for answers. You should be able to find out what sort of dental benefits you have, or sadly, do not have.
Those who do not have any dental coverage do have some choices. There are plenty of private dental insurance companies, but that will mean paying a premium. There are also low cost dental discount plans that can help you contain costs. Finally, there are some private charities or community based foundations that may provide low cost clinics for elderly people. Dental insurance can be expensive, and may still leave you with lots of uncovered expenses. Dental discount plans are cheaper, but they are not insurance. A low cost dental clinic for elderly people may be a good choice if there is one in your neighborhood.
Learn more about Medicare Dental Benefits. Also compare Medcare supplements or Medicare Advantage. Unique version for reprint here: How Can Seniors Get Dental Care?.
