Medicare Advantage dental benefits in New Berlin (Seniors 65+)

What Options Do Seniors Have for Dental Insurance?

Anyone who is permanently disabled or who is older than 65 can receive health care benefits from Medicare. Everyone is automatically enrolled in the service as soon as they turn 65. However, traditional Medicare doesn't provide coverage for basic dental care, which includes fillings, exams, cleanings, and extractions. If you're a beneficiary of Medicare, this can leave you looking for other ways to cover the cost of dental services. For many seniors, this can include discount plans, private insurance, or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan. In addition, you can also contact our office to inquire about in-office financing or request more information about dental benefits in New Berlin.

You might also be wondering, how much you can expect to pay if you don’t have dental benefits? The following describes the typical costs for common dental procedures:

Checkups and Cleanings:

• Basic exam–$50 to $100
• Dental X-ray–$20 to $250
• Standard cleaning–$70 to $200

Fillings:

• Silver amalgam–$50 to $300
• Composite–$90 to $450

Extractions:

• Simple extraction–$75 to $450
• Surgical extraction–$150 to $650
• Wisdom tooth extraction–$75 to $3,000 based on the number and complexity of the extractions

Crowns:

The cost of a crown can range from $500 to $3,000 based on the type of material used.

Root Canals:

The cost of a root canal can range from $300 to $2,000 based on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the procedure.

How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work?

A Medicare Advantage plan is a supplemental plan available for purchase that offers additional benefits that extend beyond those offered by traditional Medicare. These supplemental plans are provided by private insurance companies. Many of these plans also include prescription drug coverage and also vision, hearing, and dental benefits. UHC, Humana, and Aetna are some of the most common providers offering supplemental plans.

When you choose one of these supplemental plans, you'll receive access to a list of qualified providers, and these plans also have the benefit of price protection, including limits on how much you pay out-of-pocket, cost-sharing measures, and low deductibles. Your benefits are directly reimbursed by the insurer. This is different than traditional Medicare, which relies on health care providers being reimbursed by the government.

After enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you'll receive an ID card from your insurer that's separate from your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Most of these supplemental plans have low premiums, making them a cost-effective option for seniors. However, it's important to consider that the dental benefits you receive are typically restricted to cleanings, x-rays, and standard exams. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the average Medicare Advantage plans in 2019 have a monthly premium of $28.00.

Should I Consider Standalone Dental Insurance?

If you need extensive dental work, several advanced procedures, or just want more comprehensive coverage, you'll likely benefit from standalone dental insurance. The majority of insurance companies offer many different options for coverage, so you can choose a plan that best meets your needs and budget.

Basic Plans:

The majority of basic plans only provide benefits for maintenance and preventative services, such as cleanings, professional exams, and x-rays. They're usually the most affordable insurance plans.

Mid-level Plans:

A mid-level plan offers a good range of dental services. In addition to the preventative services offered under the basic plan, most mid-level plans also cover more advanced services, such as emergency treatment, specialized x-rays, orthodontic treatment, fillings, dentures, and inhalation anesthesia.

Premium Plans:

Although premium plans are the most expensive insurance plan, they also cover the widest range of dental services. This makes a premium plan a good option for anyone requiring advanced dental services, such as:

• Inlays, onlays and other dental restoration services
• Complete or partial dentures
• Crowns
• Oral surgery
• Treatment for gum disease, such as endodontic and periodontal procedures

Most standalone plans provide a form of coverage called "100-80-50." This means that professional exams and cleanings are usually 100% covered, other basic procedures are covered at 80%, and crowns and other complicated dental services are covered at 50%. Your monthly or yearly premium will vary based on the specific coverage you receive. In addition, it's important to consider that standalone policies usually don't include coverage for prescription drugs, hearing, hearing or vision, which most Medicare supplement plans do cover.

Are Dental Service Discount Plans a Good Alternative to Insurance?

Many private companies offer dental discount plans, but they're not considered insurance. Dentists that accept discount dental plans typically offer discounted rates for basic dental services. Instead of paying a monthly or yearly premium, patients using discount plans pay an initial enrollment fee and a small monthly membership. Your plan provider pays your dentist directly for services at a discounted, pre-negotiated rate.

Most discount plans are quite affordable and offer several benefits compared to insurance:

• You can switch dentists at any time.
• You're not restricted to a specific number of dental visits each year.
• There aren't any copays or deductibles.
• Your benefits are available immediately.
• Most plans aren't limited by age or pre-existing conditions.

Although discount plans may not cover the same services as traditional insurance, they can greatly reduce the cost of common dental services:

• X-rays
• Crowns
• Cleanings
• Checkups
• Fillings
• Root canals
• Extractions
• Dentures

If you're in good oral health and only require basic services and professional cleanings, a discount plan may be a good option for you. However, if you need a complex procedure, traditional insurance for dental services plan may be a better option.

Are There Options for Managing Out-of-pocket Dental Expenses?

Financing options and flexible payment plans are an option at most dental practices. CareCredit is one of the most popular financing options available, and it's accepted by more than 200,000 providers across the country. Qualified applicants can pay their balance over time by making several payments that fit within their budget.

Most medical credit companies offer short-term financing plans of up to 24 months without paying interest if individuals pay their full balance within a specified promotional period. If you're interested in long-term financing to make larger expenses more affordable, some medical credit companies offer financing for up to 60 months.

Although there are advantages to financing options, there are also important drawbacks to consider. Just like other forms of credit, you must fill out an application and meet certain credit score requirements, so not everyone will qualify. In addition, interest rates for financing dental services can range from 15% to more than 20%, which can greatly increase your overall cost of care.

You can also check with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) for more information about discounts on dental plans and insurance plans in general. We encourage you to call our office for more information about dental benefits in New Berlin.