Does Medicare Cover Dental Services?

We know that dental coverage is important to many people on Medicare. Depending on how you access your Medicare, you’re likely to have a different range of coverage for Dental Services. For example, the dental services covered under Original Medicare (and Medicare Supplement) are likely different from what will be covered by some Medicare Advantage plans. In this article, we discuss dental coverage under Medicare, including how it varies depending on the type of Medicare plan that you have.

Does Original Medicare Cover Dental Services?

Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care, dental procedures, or supplies, like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you’re in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though it doesn’t cover dental care. 

What Does Dental Coverage Cost Me Under Original Medicare?

Under Original Medicare, you pay 100% for non-covered services, including most dental care.

Is Dental Covered By Medicare Supplement Plans?

Since Medicare Supplement Plans are typically designed to help cover the cost sharing for covered services under Original Medicare, these plans will likely only help with dental services routinely covered through Part A of Medicare.

What Does Dental Coverage Cost Me Under Medicare Supplement?

Since Original Medicare does not cover most dental care, and Medicare Supplement plans typically only help with cost sharing of Medicare approved benefits, a Medicare Supplement will typically not provide coverage for non-Medicare approved dental benefits and you would be responsible for 100% of the non-covered services. 

Is Dental Covered By Medicare Advantage Plans?

Many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental services beyond what is covered through Original Medicare. However, Medicare Advantage plans are not required to offer supplemental (i.e. above and beyond the coverage required by Original Medicare), therefore you are likely to find that coverage of supplemental dental benefits vary by plans. Some Medicare Advantage Plans may also charge an additional premium for this added benefit. As a result, if you are comparing dental coverage, you will need to compare plans individually to understand what they cover.

What Does Dental Coverage Cost Me Under Medicare Advantage?

Typically benefits covered under Original Medicare are included without additional costs to you. If the Medicare Advantage plan includes supplemental dental coverage that may also be included as part of your total premium, and therefore may not always require a separate premium. And finally, importantly, depending on the plan, you may have cost sharing and some coinsurance on specific services directly paid to the dental provider.