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Getting adequate senior dental care is important to your health and well-being. A very common dental procedure for seniors is dental implants.
If you are nearing the age where your Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare begins, you’re likely wondering about coverage for dental implants for seniors on Medicare. Let’s dive into the specifics. Does Medicare cover dental implants for seniors?
Are dental implants covered by Medicare?
Dental implants are prostheses to support a crown, bridge, or denture. This is a common procedure for seniors and it is also a very expensive procedure to pay for out of pocket if your insurance doesn’t help cover the costs. There is quite a bit involved in dental implants including bone and tissue which makes it very hard to give an estimate for the actual cost of the procedure. To give you a rough idea, a dental implant procedure for a single tooth can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 without insurance coverage.
This is usually not in most seniors’ budgets, especially if you need more than one dental implant. Since many seniors over the age of 65 use Medicare for health coverage, it is important to look into Medicare dental implant coverage. Original Medicare does not cover dental implants. However, there are options available under Medicare Advantage plans.
When will Medicare pay for dental implants?
Original Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover dental care or implants. Most seniors look to other supplemental plans for dental coverage to make sure they are taking care of both preventative and more intensive procedures like dental implants. The main two options for those looking for dental benefits in addition to health insurance are:
- Medicare Advantage Plans;
- Private insurers.
With Medicare Advantage plans, you do get dental benefits for routine care and some help covering other procedures. However, you may still have to pay up to 50% of the cost of dental implants with Medicare Advantage. If you anticipate needing coverage for procedures like dental implants, it will be beneficial to look into private dental plans so you don’t end up with a hefty bill.
Are dental implants free with Medicare?
Unfortunately, dental implants are not free with Medicare. It’s best to budget for the added cost or look into supplement private insurers for help covering the cost of dental implants.
Does Medicare Part D cover dental implants?
Medicare Part D is a plan for prescription drug coverage and not for dental care. While it does not cover the services and procedures for dental care, it will help with covering the costs of medication prescribed for your dental implant surgery.
Conclusion
Medicare coverage offers extensive assistance in health insurance. With Part A and Part B, Medicare helps cover hospital insurance and medical insurance. One thing that is not explicitly included in the coverage plans is dental care. There are options for supplement insurance through Medicare Advantage plans and private insurance for dental benefits. Make sure to plan if you anticipate needing more extensive dental care and visit Hella Health to make informed decisions in your best interests.
