Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
Original Medicare‡ And Dental Coverage
Original Medicare‡ Parts A and B do not cover dental care, except in certain circumstances. For example, if you’re in the hospital for dental surgery, Part A will cover your inpatient costs. For other dental care, such as teeth cleanings and root canals, you will pay 100% of the cost.
Fortunately, you have options when it comes to dental insurance. Private insurance companies like Anthem offer dental coverage, either included with Medicare Advantage plans or as separate packages. You can buy dental and vision packages to complement Original Medicare‡, Medicare Supplement, or Part D (prescription drug) plans.
Dental Costs And Coverage Options
Dental care costs can add up quickly if you’re paying for everything out-of-pocket.
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Routine Dental Exam, Teeth Cleaning, And X-Rays
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Root Canal
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$3271
Average Price
Depending on where you live
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$1,1412
Average Price
Plus, it’s common to need more complicated dental procedures, dentures, crowns, bridges, and implants, as you grow older.
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Also, keep in mind there is a difference between restorative dental services, such as dentures and crowns, and cosmetic dental work, such as teeth whitening. Most dental plans will not cover cosmetic services.
Dental Coverage With Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are bundled plans that usually include basic dental, vision, and hearing coverage, plus some other services that Original Medicare‡ doesn’t cover. This can include fitness memberships, prescription drug coverage, and more. Medicare Advantage plans that include routine dental care will typically offer yearly or twice yearly teeth cleanings and dental exams. There are also options to increase dental coverage within those plans for an extra premium.
Dental Coverage With Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans help offer extra coverage for what Original Medicare‡ does not cover, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. Most Medicare Supplement plans do not include dental and vision care, so there are options to purchase separate coverage. Availability varies depending on where you live.
Anthem Extras is a separate dental and vision package you can purchase in addition to an Original Medicare‡, Medicare Supplement, or Part D plan. Our Standard Dental package covers teeth cleanings, dental exams, and X-rays. There are also Premium package options that partially cover more complicated procedures, such as fillings, implants, root canals, gum scaling, and crowns. Each package has a monthly premium.
Low-Cost And Free Dental Coverage
Low-cost and free dental clinics offer complimentary or sliding-scale dental services. You can look for these services near you at Free Dental Care .
Dental schools and dental hygiene schools often offer free or low-cost services from supervised dental students.
Dental Care Is Crucial For Older Adults
It is important to prioritize dental care, at home and at the dentist. Taking care of your teeth as you grow older can prevent tooth loss, decay, and painful extractions and infections.
Regular dental exams can help dentists catch issues early, before they become more costly and painful to treat. After all, a filling is an easier procedure than a root canal. Additionally, regular teeth cleanings, along with daily flossing and brushing, can prevent plaque buildup from causing further issues.
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Read Our Other Medicare Articles
What Is Medicare?
No-Cost Fitness Program
Medicare Advantage Vs Original Medicare
Why Choose Anthem?
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Essential Extras
Medicare Advantage Plan Options
What Is Original Medicare Part A And Part B?
What Is Medicare Part D?
‡Original Medicare: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
1X-rays include 4 bitewing X-rays. New Hampshire rates are listed for illustrative purposes; prices may vary by location. Source: NH HealthCostTM, New Hampshire Insurance Department (accessed May 2023), https://nhhealthcost.nh.gov/costs/dental/step-2?carrier=uninsured
2Anterior root canal. New Hampshire rates are listed for illustrative purposes; prices may vary by location. Source: NH HealthCostTM, New Hampshire Insurance Department (accessed May 2023), https://nhhealthcost.nh.gov/costs/dental/step-2?carrier=uninsured
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a D-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield depends on contract renewal.