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Does Medicare Insurance Cover Dental?

Medicare is federally sponsored health insurance for Americans over age 65, or those who have certain kidney disease or have been disabled for more than two years. While Medicare covers all or part of most hospital and physician services and prescriptions, there are some services that Medicare will not pay for, including vision, hearing aids, wellness and dental services.

  1. Preventive Services

    • Unlike some employer-sponsored health insurance plans, Medicare does not cover most dental services. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for paying 100 percent of the cost of basic preventive care, such as cleanings and X-rays, and for routine procedures such as fillings, extractions and denture services.

    Exceptions

    • There are some circumstances when Medicare does cover dental services. In some cases, Medicare Part A will cover dental services that you receive while you are in the hospital, such as when you need a complicated procedure that requires hospitalization. Dental services are also covered if they are part of another covered service, such as when you require facial reconstruction after an accident. In general, Medicare will only cover dental services if the non-covered dental services are required as a result of receiving a covered service; if a covered service can only be performed with the non-covered service; and both procedures are performed by the same Medicare-approved dentist. Medicare will also cover the extraction of teeth to prepare the jaw for radiation treatment associated with cancer, and a dental exam prior to a kidney transplant.

    Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans

    • Some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental services. A Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C, is a health insurance plan offered by a private insurance company that provides all of your Medicare coverage. In most cases, you pay a monthly premium to the insurance company in addition to your Medicare premiums for this coverage. Plans vary between states, and sometimes between counties within a state, but many offer dental coverage or discounts as a benefit, which makes MA plans appealing to some consumers. In most cases, though, Medicare Advantage dental plans only offer basic preventive care services or require significant deductibles or co-payments. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, do not cover any dental services.

    Other Dental Plans

    • While Medicare does not offer dental coverage, Medicare beneficiaries can purchase standalone dental plans. For example, AARP offers several dental plans through Delta Dental. Depending on where you live and your dentist's policies, you may be able to enroll in a dental discount program or make a payment plan to cover the cost of dental services.

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