August 23, 2024 Author: Amie Clark | August 23, 2024 |
Best Overall Dental Supplement Plans Overall Rating:Humana offers a full range of Medicare Advantage plans in nearly every state. It also offers additional dental coverage at discounted rates, along with helpful online tools to help you manage coverage, prescriptions, and overall well-being.
Overall Rating: Best Dental and Vision Plans Overall Rating:Available in 24 states, most Cigna Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage (in addition to prescription drug, hearing, and vision coverage). The extent of benefits varies among plans, so you can choose a threshold policy that will cover routine dental care or a more comprehensive policy that covers procedures such as crowns and fillings.
Upon turning 65, many people are surprised to discover that Medicare does not cover dental care. It’s important to invest in supplemental insurance, such as a Medicare Advantage plan.
Like Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage (or Part C) is regulated by the government and offered only by Medicare-approved private providers. Although Medigap policies (Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) are designed to fill the gaps in your original plan, Medicare Advantage serves as an alternative to your original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage covers the typical Parts A and B, plus “advantages” such as prescription drugs, vision, hearing, and dental. Some plans even include perks such as fitness club memberships for continued health. The average cost of Medicare Advantage plans for 2021 is $21 — the lowest average since 2007. (Plans that include Part D prescription coverage cost slightly more.) It’s an excellent time to consider a Medicare Advantage policy.
Pro Tip: Although original Medicare doesn’t include dental coverage, it is important for older adults to remember that oral health is key to overall health. Poor oral health in seniors has been linked to malnutrition, loneliness, and illness — including chronic disease. When discussing Medicare, I always remind folks that finding dental coverage is a must.
Though Medicare Advantage plans are regulated by the government, you will find differences among specific policy plans. All the companies we included here offer great dental policies as part of their Advantage packages. We made our choices based on three qualities:
FYI: To learn more about the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, check out my comprehensive guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance.
