Medicare Cover Dental Implants
Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement treatment options preferred by adults in the United States. This popularity is due to the fact that dental implants offer improved stability, security, and durability over alternative tooth replacement treatments. Initially, implant treatment is a financial investment, but it is also an investment in long-term oral health and overall quality of life. If you are missing teeth and have Medicare, you may be curious if your plan will cover the costs of dental implant treatment. Here is more information on dental implant treatment and covering the costs of the treatment with Medicare.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a metal post that is surgically installed in the jawbone to “permanently” replace a missing tooth. This implant is designed to act like the root of a new artificial tooth. Once installed, the implant will slowly fuse to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. After the implant has successfully fused with the jawbone and is secure, an artificial tooth, called a crown, can be securely attached on top of it, creating a brand-new tooth. The entire implant treatment plan occurs over a series of procedures and can take several months up to one year to complete.
How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?
Dental implant treatment costs can vary and depend on several factors, including geographic location, the expertise and skills of the dentist, and the implant system selected by the dentist. The implant system is the factor that will have the largest influence on the total cost of the treatment. Implant systems can come from a wide array of brands, including several well-known, well-tested, and well-respected brands. These well-known brands are known for providing implant systems that have evidence and research to support their success. However, you can also expect these implant systems from the well-known brands to cost more. Implants manufactured by local dental labs may be more affordable, but it is also likely that there is less evidence to support their success. When deciding on a treatment plan, a dentist will discuss with their patient the types and brands of implant systems available, and the costs associated with each option. Each dental implant will cost on average between $1,500-$6,000, including the cost of the implant surgery, the cost of the implant system, and all additional hardware or procedures that are needed throughout the process.
Will My Medicare Plan Cover My Dental Implant Treatment?
If you have Medicare coverage you may be wondering if your plan will cover the cost of dental implant treatment. It really depends on which Medicare plan you have. Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover the costs of most dental treatments or routine dental care. Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage) allows for individuals to get Medicare coverage through a private, Medicare-approved health insurance company. Medicare Advantage plans include many of the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B, but also include additional coverage, which includes some dental coverage including routine dental services, dental treatments, and prescription drug coverage.
While Medicare Part A does cover all care in the hospital setting, it is not common for dental implant procedures to be performed in the hospital setting. In some rare cases this may be possible, but it is important to note that even if a dental implant procedure is performed in a hospital it does not mean that Medicare Part A will cover the costs of the procedure. Prior to testing this approach, it would be best to check with hospital billing before having the procedure performed.
What To Do If You Have Medicare and are Interested in Dental Implant Treatment
If you are interested in dental implant treatment but are concerned because you have Medicare Part A or Part B, you should know the treatment is still available for you. Instead of covering the treatment with Medicare, there are some alternative payment options you can consider, including:
Medicare Advantage Plans: First, you could consider transitioning to a Medicare Advantage plan, which is available in addition to your traditional Medicare coverage, and may cover some dental treatments. Before you switch, you should make sure you have a discussion with a Medicare professional and ask if the plan include coverage of dental implant treatment and other dental services. If you do add a Medicare Advantage plan you will need to continue paying the usual monthly premium, along with the Medicare Advantage plan premium charge. Depending on how much this will cost, you may want to explore alternate options first.
Private Dental Insurance Plans: Another option to consider is adding dental insurance from a private insurance company. However, many private insurance plans do not cover dental implant treatment, so it is important to confirm the plan will cover the treatments you are interested in before committing to a new plan.
Dental Discount Plans. Dental discount plans are another option you can explore to help cover the costs of implant treatment. A discount plan may be able to cover up to 50% of the costs of the implant treatment. You can explore this option by having a conversation with your dental provider to see if there are any discount plans available to you.
If you are interested in dental implant treatment, but are weary of the potential treatment costs, you should know there are many payment options available. If you have Medicare Part A or Part B, it is likely that your current plan will not cover the costs of dental implant treatment. The best place to start is to do a little research about your Medicare plan and the alternative payment options that may be available to cover the treatment costs. Once you feel more informed of your options, you should have a discussion with your dentist to get an idea of the estimated costs of an implant treatment and any payment options they may offer. If you are interested in dental implant treatment, there are many options available to help cover the treatment costs.