Dental Care Post-Retirement

Many seniors may not realize that dental care is not covered by Medicare. However, as seniors age, it is important to still maintain good oral health. Tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to pneumonia and heart disease. Regular cleanings and checkups are as important in seniors as it is for anyone else. The cost of dental care can easily take a financial toll on retirees who are living on a fixed income. So how can you pay for dental care once you have retired?

Medicare Advantage

About half of Medicare Advantage Plans offer very limited coverage for cleanings and exams, although you will have to pay an additional premium, coinsurance, and copayments. You should contact your provider to see if you qualify for dental coverage under your Medicare Advantage Plan.

Veteran’s Benefits

Veterans may qualify for reduced-cost dental coverage through the VA Dental Care program.

HSA Savings Plans

Proceeds from Health Savings Accounts can be used by those with high-deductible health plans to cover out-of-pocket dental costs. Distributions taken to cover qualified medical expenses are also tax-exempt. You can’t contribute to an HAS if you’re already enrolled in Medicare, but you can use previously accumulated HSA funds.

Non-Insurance Dental Savings Plans

There are a multitude of dental discount plans to help make treatments more affordable for those without insurance. Some plans offer up to 60{3b0f9398becb40f4bdd8fe95c600d2c252c33730296b97da1b334948809cb5c4} savings on procedures from cleanings to dentures. You may also be eligible for chiropractic, vision, and hearing services under the plan.

Dental Schools

Dental schools offer high-quality, low-cost care in an environment where new dentists are being trained. The students performing the dental work are supervised by board-certified dentists at all times.

Health Department

This may not jump out as your first choice, but it is a better alternative than not receiving much-needed care. Services are rendered by board-certified dentists and license professionals at an affordable rate.

Nonprofit Clinics

Services provided at clinics are done so free of charge or at a steeply discounted rate.