Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare (Tips to Save)

Is dental covered by Medicare? Original Medicare does not cover dental. However, you may find dental insurance for seniors 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.

If you want to look at rates for health insurance companies in your area, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above.

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. It also includes dental, hearing, and vision.

Not all Medicare Advantage plans will offer dental 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:

1. Choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental.
2. Add on dental coverage through your health insurance company, if possible.
3. 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 a 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

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 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 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 for seniors on Medicare.

For more information about dental insurance for seniors on Medicare, look at the FAQ section on this page.

We have also answered past questions about Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigaps (Medsupp) health insurance. Specifically, we explain the difference between Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigap coverage.

We hope we have given you a better understanding of dental insurance for seniors on Medicare. When you are ready to see rates from top health insurance companies in your area, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below.

Case Studies: Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare (Tips to Save)

Case Study 1: Medicare Advantage

Terri, a senior on Medicare, was looking for affordable dental insurance. She decided to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that included dental coverage. With her plan, she only had to pay $29 per month for comprehensive dental benefits. Terri was able to save on her out-of-pocket expenses and ensure she had access to the dental care she needed.

Case Study 2: Medigap Plan

Jason, a senior on Medicare, chose a Medigap plan with private dental insurance. By comparing quotes from different companies, he found a plan that provided comprehensive dental coverage and additional benefits for other medical expenses. This allowed Jason to have the flexibility to choose his dentist and save on dental costs while ensuring he had the necessary coverage he needed.

Case Study 3: Discount Programs

Sarah, a budget-conscious senior on Medicare, explored discount programs to save on her dental expenses. Instead of purchasing a separate dental insurance plan, she opted for a discount program that provided reduced rates for dental services. With this program, Sarah was able to receive dental care at discounted prices, helping her manage her out-of-pocket costs effectively.

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.