Does Medicare Cover Dental Implants
If you have a missing tooth or teeth, the dentist has probably talked to you about your tooth replacement options. Its not an easy decision because each person has their own unique set of expectations and needs. You may be looking over the pros and cons of dental implants, dentures and dental bridges. After you make that choice, you will then determine the ideal material for your mouth. Dental implants are the most popular and certainly the best performing option of all the tooth replacement choices. The implanted post, either zirconia or titanium, is placed into the jaw bone surgically where it fuses with the bone to form an artificial root for the crown. The result is a natural looking replacement that functions just like your natural teeth; most people will not be able to tell the difference between your implant and your other teeth without your input.
Dental implants are not the most inexpensive tooth replacement, but they are the longest lasting so the cost is proven to be reasonable over the lifespan of the implant. When you are talking to the dentist about your dental implant, the dentist will be able to help you understand the costs associated with the different components and procedures. You will need to review your insurance policy to understand their coverage, but only some policies cover portions of the dental implant costs. Medicare plans do not cover any dental care at all. Dental implants are considered to be part of dental care so Medicare does not cover the costs of dental implants. But, Medicare may cover certain costs of your dental implant treatment plan depending on the dentist and you specific needs.
It is important to know that Medicare does not provide coverage of any dental procedures but there are cases when they may partially cover some dental costs. If you have any dental treatments that are related to a health condition or an injury, then Medicare may cover some associated costs. In fact, Medicare may pay for the cost of your dental appointment if you need to have an exam before you have an organ transplant. The surgeon will need confirmation from the dentist that your oral health is adequate for you to have surgery. In a different case, if you have had oral cancer or you were in an accident that caused a traumatic injury to your face or jaw, then Medicare may cover the cost of your dental care. If the oral surgeon wants to perform your dental implant procedure in the hospital, most Medicare plans cover the full costs for inpatient hospital care. Not all dental implant surgeries are completed in hospitals, but if your case is complicated, then that may be the best environment for you to have a successful outcome. While Medicare will cover the costs for the hospital care, you will still be responsible for the cost of the dental procedure.
What Does Medicare Cover For Dental Care?
Some specific Medicare plans have dental coverage; Medicare Advantage plans have policies that cover services that you will need for your dental implants. These specific Medicare Advantage plans are the plans offered by private insurance companies that are Medicare approved. While traditional Medicare does not offer supplemental benefits, the private insurance companies are approved to provide optional additional coverage if they first offer the coverage provided by traditional Medicare. Many of the Medicare Advantage plans offer an option to cover annual dental exams and screenings for your convenience. If you are someone who knows that you will need coverage for future tooth replacement or restoration, then you will want to review the supplemental coverage options that address these more involved dental procedures. You can even look for coverage of tooth extractions and dental fillings when looking to see if that Medicare Advantage plan addresses dental implants. Some insurance companies are starting to cover some of the associated costs of dental implants due to their success and proven value to maintaining long term dental health. It is important to understand the exact coverage your plan offers for dental care, dental treatments, and the specific steps your dentist is including in your treatment and dental implant process. When you take the time to clearly understand the costs associated, you will be able to plan financially for any bills that you are expected to cover. In order to have this additional Medicare Advantage supplemental dental coverage, you may have a separate premium which may be a lower cost than just part of the dental implant procedure.
Does Medicare Cover Medications Before or After Dental Implant Surgery?
Again, the answer to this question is, “It depends.” If you have Medicare and you have had your dental implant surgery in the hospital, then Medicare may cover the medications you need both before or after your surgery. Medicare Part A covers medications taken while in the hospital. Traditional Medicare does not cover prescription medications for dental services, typically.
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan will cover the medications like antibiotics, pain medications, or other prescriptions you need before or after your procedure. Be sure to talk to the dentist about the potential medications for your treatment and confirm with your insurance plan’s formulary that your medications will be covered. The dentist may be able to adjust your medications to work better with the formulary.
Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B do not have coverage for any routine dental care and that includes dental implants. Medicare Part C allows you to secure your Medicare coverage through approved private health insurance companies that have various versions of Medicare Advantage plans. The Medicare Advantages plans will automatically have the same coverage as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B; they are differentiated by the extension of coverage of prescription medication and dental care. You may need to pay premiums for this additional coverage but only you can determine which option is best for you so do not be nervous to ask specifically before making a decision.