Dental health becomes increasingly important as we age. Decades of wear and tear combined with a declining immune system and weaknesses in your dental care routine can lead to gum disease. When a tooth must be extracted in order to address an infection, you may be concerned about the costs of the procedure. Find out more about Medicare benefits for dental procedures like a tooth extraction.
Why is a tooth extraction necessary? Tooth extraction is a last resort when other treatment has been ineffective. It may be necessary to remove a tooth if you have a severe infection, impaction, or overcrowding. Some people need a tooth extraction following an accident or injury.
Medicare Benefits for Dental Care
While Medicare recipients can receive a fairly wide range of covered health care services, most routine dental care is not covered under Medicare Part A or Part B. If you require emergency dental care while admitted as an inpatient at a hospital, your Medicare Part A may cover certain dental services that you get while you are formally admitted. Part A may pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care itself is not covered.
Medicare Part C gives you the option to get your benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. They are required to provide at least the same Part A and Part B coverage as Original Medicare, but many offer additional benefits, including vision and dental care. Medicare Advantage plans may help cover routine dental care like x-rays and cleanings, and may help pay for dental procedures such as a tooth extraction.
If you get dental coverage through your Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to visit dentists that are within the plan’s network. These are dentists who agree to accept the insurance. If you get services from an out-of-network dentist, you may be responsible for your expenses. A tooth extraction could cost hundreds of dollars, depending on your specific needs. Much like health insurance, dental coverage can vary from plan to plan.
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