Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors
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.
Speak with a Medicare Advocate
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 Medicare Supplement Plan G
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 orthodontic care
What are your options?
At Fair Square Medicare
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
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.
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?
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.
Recommended Articles
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
What is the 8-Minute Rule on Medicare?
Dec 21, 2022
How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?
Jan 24, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Mental Health?
Oct 12, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Scleral Lenses?
Dec 5, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Dec 12, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Driving Evaluations?
Dec 1, 2022
Is Emsella Covered by Medicare?
Nov 21, 2022
Will Medicare Cover Dental Implants?
Jun 2, 2022
What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?
Jan 20, 2023
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
Jul 25, 2022
Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?
Nov 30, 2022
2024 Fair Square NPS Report
Mar 19, 2025
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Jun 12, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Phoenix
Mar 6, 2023
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered by Medicare?
Dec 1, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?
Dec 7, 2022
What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare
Feb 24, 2023
More of our articles
10 Top Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Companies for 2025
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.
20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent
2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
2025 Medicare Price Changes
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Can I Change My Primary Care Provider with an Advantage Plan?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans Deny Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Can Medicare Help with the Cost of Tyrvaya?
Denied Coverage? What to Do When Your Carrier Says No
Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Does Medicare Cover an FMT?
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Bladder Sling Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Boniva?
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?
Does Medicare Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Does Medicare Cover Hepatitis C Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?
Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?
Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?
Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?
Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?
Does Medicare Cover Orthodontic Care?
Does Medicare Cover Penile Implant Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover the WATCHMAN Procedure?
Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?
Does Medicare Have Limitations on Hospital Stays?
Does Medicare Pay for Allergy Shots?
Does Medicare Pay for Antivenom?
Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?
Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?
Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?
Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?
Explaining the Different Enrollment Periods for Medicare
How Can I Get a Replacement Medicare Card?
How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You
How Does Medicare Pay for Emergency Room Visits?
How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
How to Apply for Medicare?
How to Choose a Medigap Plan
How to Enroll in Social Security
Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?
Is Gainswave Covered by Medicare?
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare Advantage MSA Plans
Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025
Seeing the Value in Fair Square
Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?
The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023
Top 10 Physical Therapy Clinics in San Diego
Turning 65 and Thinking of Keeping COBRA? Here’s Why It Usually Backfires
What People Don't Realize About Medicare
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?
Why Is Medicare So Confusing?
Will Medicare Cover it?
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
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. © 2026 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
Fair Square Medicare
