Medicare Dental Coverage: What Is Included In the Coverage?
First of all, Medicare is a health insurance policy designed primarily for the elderly and the disabled. If you reach the age of 65 or if you are disabled, then you will automatically qualify for Medicare. Most people who are under Medicare know that hospitalization, prescription drugs as well as outpatient treatments are covered. However, not everyone knows that there is also dental coverage with Medicare.
Currently, Medicare will be able to cover dental services that are basically required for a particular procedure, such as reconstructing the jaw because of accidental injury. Also, tooth extractions can also be covered if the patient needs the procedure in preparation for radiation treatment for neoplastic diseases which involves the jaw.
Another covered dental procedure is oral examinations but not treatment prior to kidney transplant surgery or heart valve replacement surgery. And, you need to remember that Medicare will only cover such procedures if it is performed by a dentist who is on the hospital staff in Part A coverage or performed by a physician under Part B coverage.
These are the things that you need to know about Medicare and dental services. As you can see, Medicare will be able to cover dental services but only in a limited way.
You need to remember that dental care is primarily not covered by Medicare unless a procedure requiring dental surgery or services is needed.
So, before you rush on to your dentist to get another denture, you need to remember that Medicare will not be able to cover most types of dental procedures.
Filed under: General-Medicare
23 Comments Add your own
1.
auan houston | January 31st, 2008 at 4:53 am
would like more information on dental plan and location for milwaukee wi 53209 area asap.
2.
angel grant | March 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
mom is 72 years old and need dentures she has medicare
3.
Frank Dennis Abbott | June 10th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I have a broken moller on my upper left side, only one corner still remaining of the four sides. It is starting to swell the gum area an hearts some. How can I have it pulled out. What form do I need and can I see any dentist for this. I’am allso a disabled veteran,and the hospital said not covered procedure. I’am sort of lost for knowledge between DHS and VA,some one must have a solution for this situation. Please help ASP !
4.
Ross Young | September 5th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I’m a heart valve reciepient who has numerous teeth broken off near the gum line and others that can no longer be repaired since they’ve been repaired numerous times before. Here I sit, waiting for infection and possible valve replacement and/or loss of life because of my poor oral state of health. I’ve had many life threatening illnesses and my body isn’t going to take anymore major surgery. As near as I can tell, I’m out of luck when it comes to Medicare covering extractions and dentures for me. I’m currently appealing my HMO’s decisions and have not heard from CMS at all as of yet. I’m growing very concerned. I’ve been walking around for 10 months now like this and it can’t go on forever.
5.
SUSAN | October 1st, 2008 at 8:25 am
I HAVE A CAGE AND SCREWS IN MY BACK ALSO A TENS UNIT IN MY SPINE MY TEETH ARE BAD MY DR TOLD ME IF THEY GET INFECTED IT WILL GO TO ALL THE PARTS THAT DONT BELONG IN YOUR BODY THE TENS UNIT WAQS 175000 WERE AS PULLING MY TEETH WOULD BE UNDER 4000 HOW CAN I GET THE TEETH PULLED ON MEDCARE
6.
Harriet Carrroll | November 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Dad (85 years old) broke his front tooth leaving a jagged prong sticking out instead of a smooth front tooth. I can not find a dentist in Dallas, TX that will cover treatment for this tooth under Medicare. Do you have any suggestions?
7.
LINDA DAMES | December 1st, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I AM ON MEDICARE AND LOOKING FOR A GOOD DENTAL PLAN. CAN YOU HELP/ i live in california
8.
Fleg Sims, Jr. | December 21st, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I am on disibility and my healthcare insurance changed to Medicare, so now I am looking for dental coverage. Does Medicare have such coverage?
9.
Pat | February 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Mom is 78 years old and needs dentures; see has Medicare. Would like more info on Medicare dental plan for Pensacola 322503 area ASAP.
10.
Dorothy Coleman | February 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
information dental in ohio
11.
lavern | February 27th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I am 62 and am a widow receiving medicare and medicaid.I had all my teeth extracted before my husband passed away .I have problems with my stomach and get chocked on my food because I cannot chew my food good enough.I cannot afford to buy dentures as I only receive $694 a month.Is there someway I can get medicare to pay for me some dentures?
12.
chad | May 31st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Yes it’s interesting that the lowest paid income group has to suffer through infections and tooth rot as they cannot afford nor do they get dental coverage of any kind..
To top it off most nonprofit organizations that claim to help in these cases actualy don’t, lip service and begging for donations is their only agenda,,,,
The whole things a crime IMHO
13.
glenda lopez | June 1st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I need all of my front teeth pulled. I have medicare and medicade how can I get help
14.
Gloria Ann Roebke | June 10th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I am 66, had a kidney transplant in 2008, high blood pressure and bad teeth. I have had all but 12 pulled years ago and have partales. The Dr. said that I need the other ones pulled because of gum desease and the poisen in my teeth is going into my body and with my kidney problems and the medications I have to take to keep my kidney keeps me from being able to keep my mouth from being healthy. Can Medicare help me??????? Gloria roebke.
15.
Laura Rivera & Francisco Ramos | July 1st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Parents Previously had very poor dental care. Mom with very few loose teeth that need too be extracted unable to chew food ,81 years old need dentures . Need help findig medicare dental coverage plan currently residing n Rockland county NY,10954 for Mom & Dad age 86 and are currently being supervised and cared by daughter & husband at a different address than address on Medicare records.
16.
karla j gierer | August 10th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
after i was injured in a car accident while i was at work i no longer was able to work any more. i have had three back surgeries,right knee surgery,etc due to this and the medication i have to take on a daily bases now that i am disabled my teeth have gotton so bad but medicare has no dental for people nor do the supplemtary insurance that takes the place of medicare. it is terrible for people!!! i wish they could help people get dental in with their health insurance plans.
17.
jackie | October 9th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
are dentures covered under Medicare Insurance?
18.
Joe | November 25th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I didn’t realize that it would just add the link to my name – http://nfdh.org/ is the URL for the Donated Dental Services
19.
Dave R. | January 19th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I am a cancer patient currently in remission and I’ve had multiple major surgeries, including an amputation, lung removal, total knee replacement and a scapula removed.
The type of chemotherapy I had to take caused my teeth to weaken badly.
Currently, I have 4 molars in bad shape, 2 have pretty much rotted down to the gum and the other 2 have fractured in half and are both badly abscessed.
I was told that the only way my medicare would cover any dental at all was if I had to get the teeth removed for radiation….(which I do not need.)
I am on disability and unfortunatly have NO way of being able to pay the astronomical costs the dentist wants to charge me.
I don’t understand why medicare cannot cover simple dental…I am not even expecting crowns or root canals, but even simple extractions are not covered unless it is directly in line with a surgical procedure in or around the jaw.
Apparently providing Americans with healthy teeth is much less of a priority than providing some men with a functioning ding dong for their personal recreational pleasure.
I
20.
Barbara | February 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I am a registered nurse who has served my community for over 23 years. My last position was that of a hospice nurse. Our mission statement was to serve the poor and underprivileged. Now that I am disabled, dental care is not an option for me as medicare does not cover this. This makes me feel sad.
21.
Knena | March 7th, 2010 at 8:49 pm
I am a disabled 32 years of age woman that has both Medicare and Medicaid! Please give me info on Medicare coverage in Louisiana~
22.
medicare supplement plans | April 16th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Currently, Medicare will pay for dental services that are an integral part either of a covered procedure (e.g., reconstruction of the jaw following accidental injury), or for extractions done in preparation for radiation treatment for neoplastic diseases involving the jaw. Medicare will also make payment for oral examinations, but not treatment, preceding kidney transplantation or heart valve replacement, under certain circumstances. Such examination would be covered under Part A if performed by a dentist on the hospital’s staff or under Part B if performed by a physician.
23.
Laura Blazo | May 17th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
my mom is on Medicare/Medicaid she lives in Florida and all her teeth are rotten out , she needs them pulled and she needs dentures and we can find anyone who can help can you please advise us what to do? She lives in Daytona Beach, Fl. Thanks
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