Considering the cost of dentures, restorative care, and dental care for older adults? You’re in the right place! Dental care costs for adults over 65 depend mainly on two things: your oral health and the type of dental coverage that individuals have.
Today, dentists choose restoration methods more often than tooth extraction. Complete tooth loss and extraction are becoming less common. 50 years ago, adults 65-74 had 75 percent more tooth loss than they do today. Since fewer people have tooth loss, the impact it has on an individual’s self-esteem is greater.
Missing teeth also have an impact on overall health. We’re now seeing first-hand that dental care determines the health of our teeth, not age. Studies indicate that people with dental insurance are more likely to visit the dentist. If you or someone you love is approaching retirement age, learn about dental care and coverage for older adults.
Dental Care Coverage Options for Older Adults
Preventive dental care has made it possible for us to keep our natural teeth into old age. Consequentially, the current rate of tooth loss is the lowest it’s ever been in the United States. Now that we’re keeping our teeth longer than ever before, what coverage options are there to support the older adults’ dental care?
Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental care. Basic Medicare only covers select dental procedures such as:
- An oral exam in the hospital for a kidney transplant.
- An oral exam before a heart valve replacement.
- Certain radiation treatments or other procedures related to cancer or facial tumors.
Medicare also covers some dental-related hospitalizations. For more extensive coverage, Medicare Advantage may be an option. Remember that there are waiting periods when signing up ranging from six to 24 months, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Some Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for routine dental services. Coverage can vary widely from plan to plan and state to state. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact your plan to learn about covered dental services. Dental insurers like Delta Dental contract with Medicare Advantage. Then, we offer help paying for the out-of-pocket costs that aren’t covered under Medicare.
Comparing Coverage for Medicaid, Medicare, and Individual Plans in Colorado
The chart below is only meant to be a best estimate of plan coverage. You should always check with the appropriate service provider to get the actual coverages based on everyone’s unique situation. Laws and plans can change over time. There are several choices of coverage amount that varies substantially with individual plan options based on your oral health needs.
*- For more information on Colorado Medicaid dental coverage, CLICK HERE.
**- For more information on Colorado Medicare dental coverage, CLICK HERE.
***- For more information on Medicare Advantage, or Part C, CLICK HERE.
****- These are estimates taken from Delta Dental’s “Enhanced Plan” for an individual. For more information on all the individual plans for Delta Dental of Colorado, CLICK HERE.
Individual Delta Dental Plans for Older Adults
Individual dental plans will give you the best coverage for maintaining good preventive care. That means instead of waiting for a toothache, you or your loved one can see the dentist on a regular basis.
Older adults today are receiving much more restorative and preventive care than even 50 years ago. With dental coverage and an in-network dentist, you or your loved one can restore their smile for a fraction of what it would cost without insurance.
If you have dental insurance, you’re more likely to have restorative and “tooth-saving” procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals done. Restorative procedures lead to a healthier mouth with natural teeth. Getting dental insurance puts you well on your way to keeping your teeth longer!
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association estimated that for every $1 spent on preventive dental care, we save between $8 and $50 in the long term. Preventive care helps us avoid more expensive restorative or emergency procedures.
Delta Dental’s comprehensive oral health coverage protects the smile – and the health – of people age 65 and older. We *offer:
- Preventive and diagnostic care covered at 100% (depending on your plan).
- Discounts on restorative treatment provided by Delta Dental PPO™ (depending on your plan).
- No waiting period for care (depending on your plan).
- Access to thousands of dentists in your area and across the nation who understand the needs of patients like you and your family.
- No administrative hassles – the dentist takes care of the paperwork, when an in-network provider is seen.
We used FAIR Health Consumer to document the cost of common procedures when you don’t have dental coverage:
*Plans differ. Make sure you know the specific benefits of the plan before you purchase.
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