Dental Insurance For Seniors

Medicare Beneficiary Discussing His X-Rays With His Dental Professional

Dental health matters for everyone, but especially for older Americans. An infection or decay can severely affect other parts of the body. I have always believed that if you take care of your teeth, they will take care of you. Now, heredity is a factor. But if you get 2-3 cleanings a year, your Dentist can spot a cavity in its earliest stages, and a simple filling is not expensive. For this reason, you may want to ask your Dentist about the in-house plans they offer for preventive care.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER ROUTINE DENTAL

Almost everyone understands that Original or Traditional Medicare does not cover routine Dental, Vision, or hearing. This means seniors who prefer the Quality and Choice that comes with Original Medicare, especially when paired with a Medicare Supplement/Medigap policy, usually have to find dental and/or Vision insurance on their own.

THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF DENTAL INSURANCE PRODUCTS

TRADITIONAL DENTAL INSURANCE

Traditional Dental Insurance requires a monthly premium and typically covers dental expenses from an In-Network Dental provider in amounts from $1,000 - $2,000. These plans typically do not always cover Orthodontics or Endodontics and they usually require a waiting period of 6-12 months for Major Dental work such as Root Canals, Crowns, Bridges, Implants, etc.

DENTAL SAVINGS PLANS

The other form of Dental Coverage is not Dental Insurance in the Traditional way as described above. This other form of Dental coverage is a Dental Savings Plan. For many people, they provide more coverage for major services, without the high cost of many Dental premiums. Many plans cost about $100 per year.

The idea is that you use their network of Dentists, but you will generally pay 40-60% less than someone without insurance. And there are no maximums, so if a Root Canal and crown cost $3,000 and you have a traditional Dental Insurance plan with a $1,000 annual maximum benefit amount, you are still on the hook for $2,000. And, with a Dental Savings Plan, the rate may be $1,500. You not only save on the procedure, but you also save by avoiding $500-$700 in monthly premiums throughout the year. Many people like NerdWallet, Suze Orman, and Dave Ramsey are bullish on these plans.

DVH PLANS

One of the latest trends for Seniors is plans that bundle Dental/Vision/Hearing together; these are often referred to as DVH plans. Most major companies offer these, and they are more advantageous for individuals who use prescription eyewear.

OUR DENTAL INSURANCE CARRIERS

• AETNA

• AMERITAS

• BCBS

• CIGNA

• DELTA DENTAL

• HUMANA

• MANHATTAN LIFE

• MUTUAL OF OMAHA

• TDA DENTAL

• UNITED HEALTHCARE