Dentures are a great alternative to dental implants. They are also a more affordable alternative. So if your dentist advises you to get dentures, you may be wondering does Medicare pay for dentures?
Let’s get straight to the answer and then talk about denture costs and ways to get coverage for them.
Does Medicare Pay for Dentures?
Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, do not cover the costs of dentures. In addition to that, they do not cover denture fittings.
Nor, for that matter, do they cover any routine dental care. Original Medicare doesn’t cover any dental work including oral exams, teeth extractions, dental cleanings, and fillings.
That means, if you were counting on Medicare to cover these costs, you’re out of luck. However, all hope is not lost.
Medicare Advantage
With that said, you may be able to get Medicare coverage for dentures through Medicare Advantage (Plan C). Medicare Advantage plans must cover all of the benefits Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does. But many Advantage plans offer coverage for things Original Medicare does not.
One of the benefits that Medicare Advantage may cover is routine dental services. Now what is covered and how much coverage costs will vary greatly. It mostly depends on what your specific Medicare Advantage plan is.
There are Medicare Advantage plans that do cover the costs of dentures. But, if they do, expect the plan to only cover a portion of the costs. It is important to review any Advantage plans that you may get so you’ll know if they include dental coverage and denture coverage.
Private Insurance Coverage for Dentures
Another point to remember is that not every area has Medicare Advantage coverage. So if you have any difficulties finding a Medicare Advantage plan in your current location, you can still get coverage for dentures through private companies.
You can always find other options through other health or dental insurance separately. While shopping for dental insurance from private companies, you need to ask the insurance company if they specifically cover dentures.
It is also good to ask how much out-of-pocket money you may need to spend, or if there are any deductibles you have to pay first before they provide coverage.
What Do Dentures Cost?
With all that said, let’s take a look at how much dentures can cost you. The price range of dentures vary and it can be anywhere between $600 to $8,000. The costs vary depending on the quality of dentures you have chosen.
More costs to consider are the dentists appointment, denture-fitting appointments, any follow-up check ups with your dentists, and diagnostic tests. Now those are a lot of costs to consider, so having dental insurance to help you pay for all of these.
Another tip to save on your denture costs is to contact your dentist. Ask them if they have any membership, or club discount programs that you may be eligible for.
Usually, dentists run promotions and discounts to help their clients and patients. It doesn’t hurt to ask, especially if you’ll be able to save some money in the process.
Hopefully, this article has helped you get a good estimate on how much dentures costs, and how you can save on payments. For more on this topic, check out this article.