Does Medicare cover dental?

Your oral health is an important part of staying healthy. Why? Poor oral health can lead to infections, like tooth decay and gum disease. Or worse, health conditions such as pneumonia and heart disease.

So, when it comes to taking care of your teeth and gums, does Medicare cover dental care services? Well, it depends on the Medicare plan.

But first, it’s important to know that Medicare does not offer separate, or standalone, dental plans for purchase. However, you can get dental coverage under some types of Medicare plans.

Let’s take a look at each type of Medicare plan to understand what each one may cover for your dental costs. And what are your options for getting dental care beyond Medicare.

Does Original Medicare include dental coverage?

Original Medicare is made up of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). It does not cover most dental care. What does this mean? That routine dental services such as teeth cleaning and X-rays are not covered. Also, more specialized dental treatments like fillings, extractions and dentures are not covered under Original Medicare.

When might Original Medicare cover your dental services? If you were hospitalized due to a traumatic injury that affected your jaw, teeth or mouth. In this case, Original Medicare may cover some of your dental care.

Understanding the details of what your Medicare plan would cover is important to know before an accident happens.

Does Medicare Advantage include dental coverage?

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called Medicare Part C, combine Original Medicare Part A and Part B into one complete plan. These plans are offered through private insurance companies, like HealthSpring. They are approved by the government's Medicare program.

These plans may also offer extra programs and services not covered by Original Medicare, such as Part D Prescription Drug and vision coverage. And some Medicare Advantage plans may offer dental coverage. This coverage is typically basic and could include:

• Teeth cleaning

• Routine X-rays

• Extractions

• Fillings

• And possibly more

Plans may differ depending on the insurance company and your location. And dental coverage often comes with some limitations. For example, your dental plan may only cover a set number of dental services within a plan year. Also, the plan may include a cost allowance, which is the maximum amount your health plan will pay for covered services. It is important to review all details of any Medicare Advantage Plan before you enroll.

How do you get dental care if Medicare doesn’t cover it?

Enrolled in a Medicare plan that’s working for you, but it doesn’t provide dental coverage? You may consider these options:

Buy a separate dental insurance plan

You can purchase a standalone dental plan from a private insurance company. There are many types of dental insurance plans to choose from. Basic dental plans may offer you coverage for preventive dental care with lower monthly premiums. Other plans may provide more dental coverage for a little higher premium. Standalone dental plans usually include deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Consider a Health Savings Account if you have a high-deductible plan

Are you under 65? You may consider opening a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have a high-deductible health plan. Once you enroll in Medicare, you can no longer contribute to the account. But you can use your saved HSA funds to help pay for eligible expenses, like dental care.