Essential advice for Medicare beneficiaries

Many studies have shown that oral hygiene is critical to your health and longevity. Unfortunately, many Medicare recipients find themselves without a dental policy. 19% of Medicare beneficiaries spend over $1,000 out-of-pocket for dental expenses in a year. Let's go through the best practices for finding your dental plan to go with your Medicare Supplement plan.

Common Misconceptions

For all that Original Medicare covers, many people are surprised to learn that dental care is not included. That might be a result of the rise of Medicare Advantage plans which frequently include a dental benefit as part of the plan package. As we’ve talked about before, Medicare Advantage plans are not inherently bad; they are just misunderstood. Many of our clients love their Medicare Supplement Plan G because they offer the most comprehensive coverage, but you’ll need a separate dental plan.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover any dental care?

Yes, for urgent issues related to dental, you can still get Medicare coverage. Routine dental cleanings will not be covered. The rule of thumb is that if you have a procedure that your healthcare provider deems medically necessary, you will, in all likelihood, get Medicare coverage for it. And with the Medicare Supplement Plan G, you don't have to worry about getting approval from your in-network provider that you might need to receive treatment on a Medicare Advantage plan.

Some examples of dental procedures that your Medicare Supplement plan might cover include medically necessary dental implants and orthodontic care.

What are your options?

At Fair Square Medicare, we can help you find a plan that suits your needs. Give us a call today to speak with a licensed insurance agent. The options available are dependent on your area, but you might see the following:

Dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)

The PPO option offers more flexibility than the HMO option. In a PPO, you can visit any dentist, but you'll pay less for visits within your insurance network. The payment within this plan is typically a coinsurance, a percentage fee that might vary depending on the visit or treatment.

Dental HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)

Also known as Prepaid Dental Plans, the HMO requires you to pick one dentist's office for all your needs. You typically pay for the services of this plan through a copayment, a fixed dollar amount for a given visit or treatment.

Discount Plans

A discount plan is not an insurance policy but instead an agreement with a local dentist to receive their services at a discounted rate. Speak with your local dentist to see if they offer a discount plan and if it's the right option for you.

Best practices when shopping for dental insurance

1. Assess your needs. Are you looking for preventative care or more costly procedures? Do you travel enough that a PPO plan is necessary? Do the potential savings of an HMO plan outweigh the flexibility of going outside your network? Are you interested in Veneers, and would your plan cover them? These are all questions you should ask yourself.

2. Keep the cost in mind. Make sure the coverage limit aligns with what you expect to spend on your dental needs. If you think you'll need dentures, which cost around a couple of thousand dollars, does that exceed your plan's coverage limit?

3. Don't fuss over matching the provider of your Medicare Supplement plan. Remember, the government, not the insurance provider, defines each Medicare Supplement plan's benefits. You should shop for dental insurance based on the best fit between your dental needs and your budget.

Conclusion

Overall, making sure that you maintain good oral health is key to your overall well-being and quality of life. Routine dental checkups and cleanings are not covered by Medicare, and to avoid paying out-of-pocket, you might want to purchase a separate dental insurance policy. Fair Square Medicare can help you find the right dental insurance plan to go with your Medicare Supplement plan. Give us a call today at 1-888-376-2028.