Fair Square Medicare Wordmark

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

Happy senior man and dentist assistant talking during appointment at dental clinic. stock photo
By Daniel Petkevich
Jan 4, 2023

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.

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.

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.

Stay Up to Date on Medicare!

Join the Fair Square Medicare Newsletter to stay informed on cost savings, changes to Medicare, and other valuable healthcare information.

Recommended Articles

Fair Square
Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?
Nov 29, 2022
Ozempic stock image
Does Medicare Cover Ozempic?
Mar 28, 2023
Cover image
Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?
May 2, 2023
senior man holding up his medicare card stock photo
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
May 12, 2022
Cover image
Medicare & Ozempic
Jul 20, 2023
Myelofibrosis stock image
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Dec 12, 2022
Medigap stock image
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
Nov 18, 2022
Medicare Explained Thumbnail
Medicare Explained
Jan 3, 2022
senior man receiving dental care stock photo
Will Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Jun 2, 2022
Heart on Heart Rhythm Background Concept stock photo
Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?
Dec 1, 2022
scleral lenses
Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?
Dec 5, 2022
doctor examining a patient's varicose veins stock photo
Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?
Nov 18, 2022
heart surgery stock image
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
Senior person holding tissue roll near a toilet bowl, using walker to walk to the bathroom stock photo
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Dec 2, 2022
Four hands holding cut out image of kidneys stock image
Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?
Dec 8, 2022
Medicare research stock image
Medicare Consulting Services
Apr 3, 2023
Cover image
2025 Medicare Price Changes
Oct 30, 2023
An illustrated image of a cartoon man using giant scissors to cut the "T" in the word "Tax"
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
Dec 28, 2022

More of our articles

13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Philadelphia

14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.

2024 Fair Square Client Retention and Satisfaction Report

2024 Fair Square NPS Report

Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?

Building the Future of Senior Healthcare

Can I Change My Primary Care Provider with an Advantage Plan?

Can I Use Medicare Part D at Any Pharmacy?

Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?

Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?

Does Medicare Cover a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

Does Medicare Cover Air Purifiers?

Does Medicare Cover Boniva?

Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Cartiva Implants?

Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?

Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?

Does Medicare Cover Disposable Underwear?

Does Medicare Cover Geri Chairs?

Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?

Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?

Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?

Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?

Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?

Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?

Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?

Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?

Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?

Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?

Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?

Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?

Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?

Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?

Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?

Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?

Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?

Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?

Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?

Explaining IRMAA on Medicare

Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition

Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors

How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?

How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?

How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?

How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?

How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Cost?

How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost in 2025?

How to Apply for Medicare?

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

Is Botox Covered by Medicare?

Is PAE Covered by Medicare?

Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?

Medicare 101

Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas

Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Plan G vs. Plan N

What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?

What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?

What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?

What Is the Medicare Birthday Rule in Nevada?

What is the Medicare ICEP?

What People Don't Realize About Medicare

What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage

What's the Deal with Flex Cards?

What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?

When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement

Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?

Your Medicare One-Stop-Shop

Your guide to Medicare Parts A & B, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap. 100% free.
Get the Fair Square Bulletin

Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.

About

Medicare 101

Current Clients

Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans

Fair Square 2025

Terms of Use
Notice of Privacy Practices

Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M