Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?

Original Medicare‡ And Dental Coverage

 

Original Medicare‡ Parts A and B do not cover dental care, except in certain circumstances. For example, if you’re in the hospital for dental surgery, Part A will cover your inpatient costs. For other dental care, such as teeth cleanings and root canals, you will pay 100% of the cost, which can add up quickly.

 

Fortunately, you have options when it comes to dental insurance. Private insurance companies like Anthem offer dental coverage, either included with Medicare Advantage plans or as separate packages. You can buy dental and vision packages to complement Original Medicare‡, Medicare Supplement, or Part D (prescription drug) plans.

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Medicare Plan Types

Dental Coverage With Medicare Advantage Plans

 

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are bundled plans that usually include basic dental, vision, and hearing coverage, plus some other services that Original Medicare‡ doesn’t cover. This can include fitness memberships, prescription drug coverage, and more. Medicare Advantage plans that include routine dental care will typically offer yearly or twice yearly teeth cleanings and dental exams. There are also options to increase dental coverage within those plans for an extra premium.

Dental Coverage With Medicare Supplement Plans

 

Medicare Supplement plans help offer extra coverage for what Original Medicare‡ does not cover, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Most Medicare Supplement plans do not include dental and vision care, so there are options to purchase separate coverage. Availability varies depending on where you live.

 

Anthem Extras is a separate dental and vision package you can purchase in addition to an Original Medicare‡, Medicare Supplement, or Part D plan. Our Standard Dental package covers teeth cleanings, dental exams, and X-rays. There are also Premium package options that partially cover more complicated procedures, such as fillings, implants, root canals, gum scaling, and crowns. Each package has a monthly premium.

Low-Cost And Free Dental Coverage

 

Low-cost and free dental clinics offer complimentary or sliding-scale dental services. You can look for these services near you at Free Dental Care .

 

Dental schools and dental hygiene schools often offer free or low-cost services from supervised dental students.

Dental Care Is Crucial For Older Adults

 

It is important to prioritize dental care, at home and at the dentist. Taking care of your teeth as you grow older can prevent tooth loss, decay, and painful extractions and infections.

 

Regular dental exams can help dentists catch issues early, before they become more costly and painful to treat. After all, a filling is an easier procedure than a root canal. Additionally, regular teeth cleanings, along with daily flossing and brushing, can prevent plaque buildup from causing further issues.

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‡Original Medicare: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)

 

Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company depends on contract renewal.