Medicare VS Medicaid
Medicare and Medicaid are two government-run health programs that provide health insurance benefits to a significant number
April 11, 2021
Medicare Dental Plans
Original Medicare usually does not cover dental related services unless it is for certain circumstances. However, some Medicare Advantage Plans will cover routine dental services.
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What does Original Medicare cover?
Medicare (Part A and B) will cover limited dental services if required to protect your general health or prepare for a procedure that Medicare covers. For example, Medicare will pay if:
- You receive an oral exam in the hospital because you will be receiving a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement.
- You have a disease that involves the jaw and need dental services to receive further treatment.
- You need ridge construction after the removal of a face tumor.
- You need surgery to treat fractures of the jaw or face, or require dental splints and wiring after receiving jaw surgery.
Medicare Supplement plans help cover costs that are not fully covered by Original Medicare. If you receive dental care as listed above and still have copayments or deductibles that need to be paid, your Medicare Supplement plan may pay the majority, if not all, of those expenses. However, keep in mind that Medicare Supplements will only cover costs related to what Original Medicare covers. In other words, if Medicare does not cover a specific service, neither will your Medicare Supplement.
Even if you receive coverage for these services, Medicare will not pay for any follow-up dental care after your health condition has been treated. Medicare will also not cover regular checkups, cleanings, fillings, dentures, or most tooth extractions.
What do Medicare Advantage Plans cover?
Certain dental services can be covered by Medicare Advantage Plans, but make sure to ask your plan provider which services will be covered, for each plan may be different. It would be best if you also asked your dentist to confirm which plans are accepted.
Take note that the more coverage a plan offers, the higher your premiums, coinsurance, and copayments could be.
