Looking for the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare? As a senior, taking care of your teeth is crucial for both your oral and overall health. However, with so many dental plans and insurance options available, finding the right coverage for your needs can be tricky. Whether you’re wondering if Medicare covers dental care or if there are any free dental care options available, this blog post has got you covered. Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare, so you can make an informed decision about your oral health. Many of our dental plans offer benefits for things such as hearing and vision care. Find out what Medicare covers on these services in our other article.
Does Medicare Pay Anything on Teeth?
Firstly, let’s address the most pressing question: Does Medicare pay anything on teeth? Unfortunately, no. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, if you require a dental procedure due to an injury, a medical condition, or hospitalization, Medicare may cover it as part of your inpatient or outpatient treatment. Additionally, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer dental coverage, although the benefits and costs vary widely by plan and location.
Do Seniors Get Free Dental Care in the USA?
In general, no. While there are some government-funded dental clinics, such as those run by the Department of Health and Human Services or the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, they have limited availability, eligibility requirements, and services. Some states also offer dental coverage under Medicaid, but again, the benefits and criteria vary by state. Your best bet for affordable dental care as a senior is to shop around, negotiate rates, and ask for discounts or payment plans from your providers. You can also consider joining a dental savings club, which typically offers discounts on a wide range of dental procedures with no waiting periods, annual limits, or paperwork.
The option that gives you the flexibility to get the benefits you need at the price you can afford is a stand-alone dental plan. Below we will dive into some of our favorite plans for seniors on Medicare.
Who Has The Best Dental Insurance Plan for Seniors on Medicare?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, some dental insurance plans that are popular among seniors and offer comprehensive coverage include APEX Dental, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, Manhattan Life, and Humana. These plans typically cover preventive care, basic and major services, with options to customize your deductible, coinsurance, and premiums. However, be aware that some plans may exclude certain procedures or providers, have waiting periods or limitations on coverage, or require preauthorization for specific treatments.
Breaking Down The Plans
APEX
The APEX dental plan is a newer plan that came onto the market in recent years. It uses one of the largest PPO networks of dentists and is currently available in 13 states with more being added almost each month.
What we like about it:
- Up to $5,000 in annual benefits
- Coverage for implants
- Waiting period waiver for major services if coming from another dental plan that has been effect.*
- Built in hearing benefit
- Optional stand-alone vision plan can be added.
- Monthly premiums as low as $44.01 for individual
- Discounted rate for spouse
- Guaranteed Issue (no health questions)
Guarantee Trust Life (GTL)
The dental plan from GTL is one of the only plans on the market that does NOT use a network of dentists. This means you can literally go see any dentist that you want. While your chosen dentist may not file the claim, this plan still permits you to see them. Simply pay the dentist upfront, then provide your agent with the itemized billing to file the claim.
What we like about it:
- See any dentist that you want.
- Built in hearing benefit
- Built in vision benefit
- Monthly premiums as low as $46.25 for individual
- Guaranteed Issue (no health questions)
Manhattan Life
The Manhattan Life dental, vision, and hearing plan has been on the market for a number of years and continues to be a client favorite. While you can choose your dentist, you will get the most bang for your buck by using one that is in their network. The plan uses the Careington network which is quite robust.
What we like about it:
- Built in hearing benefit
- Built in vision benefit
- Monthly premiums as low as $40.23 for individual
- Guaranteed Issue (no health questions)
Mutual of Omaha
If you seek a budget-friendly, no-frills dental plan, this might suit your needs. The plan works best for folks whose dentist is in the network. This plan does not offer any hearing or vision benefits.
What we like about it:
- Large network of dentists
- Issued up to age 99
- Monthly premiums as low as $25.76 for individual
- Guaranteed Issue (no health questions)
CONCLUSION
In summary, finding the right dental insurance for seniors on Medicare can be challenging, but not impossible. By understanding your dental needs, budget, and preferences, and comparing various plans and options, you can make an informed decision that suits you best. While we have outlined some great plans above, be sure to contact us at (800)924-4727 to see what other plans we have available in your state.