One estimate states that more than two-thirds of senior citizens do not have access to dental insurance. And while many seniors are not bothered by this, restrictions when it comes to medical care of any type can place an undue burden on someone’s overall health and wellness.
One of the reasons why this happens is the misconception that basic Medicare will cover dental needs. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Medicare covers a lot of basic health needs, but the basic Medicare plans do not cover dental needs. For many people that retire and now rely on Medicare to cover their medical needs, they find themselves lacking the coverage that they need.
Medicare Part B does cover some dental costs. This is mostly preventive care, however. While this is truly important, seniors do tend to be the group most at risk for dental issues from decay and neglect. Most people need far more coverage than what is given here.
There are options out there that can help to supplement your Medicare policy, regardless of what other health needs you might be looking to cover. Dental insurance can be covered through a variety of Medicare supplemental policies, or Medigap policies, as they’ve come to be called. The precise plan that will work best for you will vary depending on your needs and where you live. Each state has slightly different requirements and coverage policies when it comes to Medicare.
Remember: just because someone has aged doesn’t mean they don’t need high quality care.
You may find that a Medigap policy isn’t what’s best for you. In fact, many people find that Medicare policies can become too expensive as they age. This puts a lot of people who are living on a limited income at risk for living beyond their means. This is why so many seniors end up relying on Medi-Cal (Medicaid, for the rest of the country) policies for their health insurance. And while this does cover a wide range of dental needs, the amount of assistance that is actually provided is often limited. For example, a lot of states are seeing fewer and fewer providers accepting this type of insurance when it comes to dental needs. That means fewer options when it comes to finding a doctor. For those that can find a doctor, the waitlist can often be as long as 12 months.
Other policies might help, too. There are many private insurance policies and health savings plans designed to help seniors. Finding the right one might be a challenge, but having a team on your side can help make the search process a little bit easier.
The same goes for senior care. Finding the right solution for your family’s needs can be overwhelming but having the right team on your side can make it easier.
We’d be happy to be part of your team. Please feel free to reach out if you’re looking for senior care. One of our trained professionals would be happy to connect with you, answer your questions, and get you pointed in the right direction. Give us a call or send an email to get started.
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