Choosing the Best Dental Insurance for Seniors on Medicare
Dental health is often an overlooked component of general health insurance. However, research shows that access to regular, quality dental care can impact the quality of life, heart health, and mental health of older individuals.
Finding coverage for dental services can be daunting when you’re on Medicare. Though Original Medicare doesn’t offer dental benefits, there are other options available, including Medicare Advantage plans and separate dental insurance plans for seniors on Medicare.
In this article, we’ll explain which dental insurance options are available when you’re on Medicare and how to determine which plan is right for your needs.
Key takeaways:
Original Medicare does not cover the cost of routine dental care, including regular cleanings.
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental care coverage, including coverage for preventive and some restorative services.
Standalone dental insurance policies and some Medicare Advantage plans can help minimize dental care costs. It’s important to consider whether the potential cost savings of these plans will be greater than the cost of their premiums and copayments.
Medicare’s dental coverage limitations
Unfortunately, most dental care is not covered under Original Medicare.
Specifically, Medicare does not cover dental services “in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth.”
What Medicare covers
There are a few instances in which Original Medicare may cover the cost of dental care:
If you receive dental care as part of an inpatient hospital treatment, Medicare Part A may cover some of those services. For example, if you receive dental surgery in a hospital, Part A will cover the hospitalization and anesthesia costs, but not the cost of the surgery itself.
If you receive dental care that is secondary to a primary, covered procedure, Part B will pay for the dental care as long as it takes place at the same time as the primary covered procedure and is performed by the same physician or dentist.
Part B will cover the cost of tooth extractions performed in preparation for the treatment of neoplastic disease.
Medicare Part B will cover the cost of inpatient dental examinations required before a renal transplant or heart valve replacement.
What Medicare doesn’t cover
Generally speaking, Original Medicare does not cover the cost of routine dental services, including:
Regular cleanings
Tooth extractions
Fillings
Dentures
Dental plates
Other dental devices
Medicare Advantage’s dental care benefits
Because Original Medicare does not offer dental care coverage, some individuals consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental benefits.
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental care coverage for services that include:
Preventative care: Regular dentist visits allow for a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s oral health. This can help in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of oral health problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth cancer. Examples of preventative care include regular teeth cleanings, diagnostic testing (x-rays, etc.), and fluoride treatments.
Restorative care: Access to restorative care can help to address common dental issues facing older individuals. Examples of restorative dental care include dental fillings, crowns, root canals, and dentures.
Understanding Medicare Advantage plan savings and membership costs
When deciding whether or not a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage is right for you, it’s important to weigh the costs of the plan you select versus the potential savings that plan offers.
On average, Medicare Advantage plans will cover up to $1,500-$2,500 of dental care costs per year.
To understand whether or not these savings outweigh the cost of a plan’s premiums and copayments, reach out to one of our licensed Medicare Advisors.
Dental discount plans from Medicare Supplement policies
A handful of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans offer pre-negotiated dental discounts. Some of these discounts can help reduce the cost of common dental services. Other carriers may allow you to add on dental coverage for an additional premium.
Are standalone dental policies worth it?
Some people consider purchasing standalone dental policies to help reduce the cost of dental services. Though the specifics of these policies vary, the cost of their copayments and premiums are generally higher than what you would pay out-of-pocket for dental care. This means the value is often not there, and it may be better to just pay for your routine dental services on your own.
How to choose the right dental plan for your needs
Choosing the best dental plan for your needs will depend on your individual dental health and needs. Below are some of the factors you should consider when weighing different dental coverage options:
Does the cost of this plan outweigh the potential savings?
Does this plan’s network include providers that are easily accessible to me?
Does this plan cover the cost of preventive care (including regular cleanings and exams) as well as restorative care (including extractions, fillings, and root canals)?
Bottom line
In most cases, Original Medicare does not cover the cost of dental care. However, many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer comprehensive dental care coverage. You may also choose from Medicare Supplement plans that offer a dental discount to help reduce the cost of dental services. Standalone dental policies are another option, but the cost of their premiums and copayments often outweighs their potential savings.
Finding the right dental coverage for your needs doesn’t have to be complicated. If you need guidance on what dental plan is best for you, we’re here to help. Call today at 855-900-2427 or schedule an appointment to get help understanding and using your Medicare and dental coverage.
FAQs
Why doesn’t Medicare cover routine dental care?
Original Medicare does not typically cover the cost of dental, hearing, or vision care because it considers this type of care “non-essential.”
What’s the average cost of dental insurance for seniors?
The average cost of dental insurance for seniors will vary depending on the type of coverage. While there is no reliable data to estimate the average cost of dental insurance for seniors in 2025, data shows that annual dental care costs in the US are $165 billion.
Which Medicare Advantage plans offer the most comprehensive dental benefits?
Many Medicare Advantage plans offer dental benefits, including coverage for preventive and restorative care. It’s important to research the various policies’ benefits, coverage, networks, and costs to find the best plan for your needs.
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