Ask an expert: What dental benefits does Medicare offer?
Need a routine cleaning or a root canal? You may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan.
Good dental hygiene matters at any age. Taking care of your teeth now means you’ll have more time to spend enjoying your favorite foods, and less time sitting in the dentist’s chair.
But not all Medicare plans offer the dental benefits you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. That’s why understanding your coverage — and the parts of Medicare — is key. So you can get the care you need when you need it.
First, know what each part of Medicare covers
Wondering what benefits Medicare offers?
“The main thing to know about Medicare is that it covers doctor’s appointments and hospitalization,” says Jay Kolb, Medicare sales manager at Geisinger Health Plan. “You will have copays for appointments and a deductible that you’re responsible for.”
That means you’ll have coverage for the basics. But Original Medicare doesn’t give you coverage for extras, like eyeglasses, hearing aids — or dental visits. You’d need a supplemental plan to cover those.
“If you’re looking for more comprehensive benefits, you may want to consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan,” Kolb says.
A Medicare Advantage plan combines Medicare Parts A and B and provides the extra benefits you need, all in one plan. From basics like doctor’s visits through extras like dental work, Medicare Advantage plans help you cover all your medical needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the four parts of Medicare and what each covers:
- Part A covers the big things, like hospitalizations and skilled nursing care.
- Part B covers routine things, like doctor visits and preventive care.
- Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) includes Part A and Part B benefits and can include extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing and wellness.
- Part D covers prescription drugs.
Here’s how to get comprehensive dental benefits
Although Medicare Parts A and B don’t provide dental benefits, Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, often does. So, if you need a cleaning or an unexpected root canal, you can have peace of mind knowing that your plan will cover it.
If you’re interested in finding a Medicare Advantage plan, start by searching online.
Many Medicare Advantage plans, like Geisinger Gold, make it easy to get the dental work you need with coverage for:
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- X-rays
- Tooth extractions
- Oral exams
- Root canals
- Treatment for gum disease
“Depending on the plan you have, you may have different levels of coverage,” Kolb says.
Not sure about your dental benefits? Call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask. They’ll walk you through all the benefits you have under your current plan.
Find a plan that’s right for you
If you’re eligible for Medicare, you may have questions about your coverage. Having the right information can help you understand your benefits. And it can help you find the right plan to meet your needs.
If you have questions about Medicare Advantage plans or want to learn more about Geisinger Gold, call to request a visit with one of local our Medicare advisors at 800-482-8163 (TTY: 711).
Next steps:
- Learn about the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Here’s what to look out for in Medicare this year
- Learn about Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage
Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and HMO D-SNP plans are offered by Geisinger Health Plan/Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company/Geisinger Quality Options, Inc., health plans with a Medicare contract. Continued enrollment in Geisinger Gold depends on contract renewal. Geisinger Health Plan, Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company, and Geisinger Quality Options, Inc. are part of Geisinger, an integrated health care delivery and coverage organization. Risant Health is the parent organization of Geisinger.
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