Medicare patients need affordable dental care.
Medicare is a federal program that provides medical coverage for the elderly and disabled. Medicare covers many components of health care, including inpatient hospital care, outpatient medical care and prescriptions drugs. However, there are some things Medicare does not cover.
Parts A and B
Medicare Part A covers inpatient care and Part B covers outpatient care. They only cover dental care when that care is an integral part of another covered treatment. For instance, if a patient has a fractured jaw that must be repaired and that repair involves some dental work, it will be covered. If teeth must be extracted so that radiation treatments can be made to the jaw, that will be covered.
Routine Dental Care
Medicare Parts A and B do not cover routine dental care like cleanings, x-rays or fillings. They don't cover things like root canals, crowns or dentures.
Part C
Medicare Part C consists of a number of Medicare Advantage Plans that Medicare recipients may choose to sign up for instead of Parts A and B. The available plans vary from state to state, but some include dental coverage.
AARP Delta Dental Plans
The American Association for Retired Persons (AARP) offers two different dental plans for people over the age of 50. The cost of these plans, offered through the Delta Dental Insurance Company, varies slightly from state to state. Medicare recipients over the age of 50 may sign up if they like.
Tricare Retiree Dental Program
The Tricare Retiree Dental Program is available to retired military men and women, including those that receive Medicare. Premium rates vary by location.
