At this time of the year, I often receive many inquiries about dental and vision insurance and whether Medicare covers dental or vision Care.
This is also because of the ads people see on TV or the Internet that offer dental and vision benefits to entice Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a plan.
So, does Medicare insurance cover dental and routine vision services like your dentist or eye exam visits? Unfortunately, if you’re covered by Original Medicare, the answer is often no.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover what’s considered routine dental and vision care, such as exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, and other common procedures. It also won’t cover equipment like dentures or eyeglasses. Routine, in this case, is a service that’s obtained without needing a doctor’s referral.
So, what are your dental and vision options if you’re on Medicare?
1. Review your Medicare Advantage plan benefit
Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental and routine vision benefits with no extra premium. It may have an allowance from $750 to $3000/year, depending on your plan or an embedded dental plan, again with no extra premium. Read your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document or call member service for details.
2. Purchase Buy Up Optional Dental
Again, look at your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan to find out if the company offers an optional dental or vision plan with an extra monthly premium.
Some offer HMO dental plans with lower premiums, and others offer PPO dental plans with higher premiums with a larger network of dentists. For example, UnitedHealthcare offers Dental, Vision, and Hearing (DVH) bundle plans with no waiting period, a limitation that’s typical for a PPO plan. Therefore, you can use the benefit right away. Anyone who has or doesn’t have insurance with them can buy the plan.
3. Standalone Dental & Vision Plan
There are many standalone HMO/PPO Dental and Vision plans you can buy, such as from Delta Dental, Ameritas, and Metlife. This type of plan isn’t tied to your Medicare plan, so if you change your Medicare plan, you can keep your dental plan. Some popular plans have no waiting period but pay less in the first year and more afterward.
Delta Dental PPO plan covers up to $2000/year with only a 6-month waiting period for $65/mo. Click here to get a real-time quote and to enroll in a Delta Dental plan.
Call to learn more or get a personalized quote 858-432-2322.
