Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Dental?

Politics, costs and integration barriers all play a role in Medicare’s exclusion of dental coverage. While there is uncertainty whether Medicare will ever cover dental care, there are alternative options available to help cover these costs, such as Medicare Advantage and Medicaid.

Lindsey Crossmier, writer for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Lindsey Crossmier

    Lindsey Crossmier

    Financial Writer

    Lindsey Crossmier is an accomplished writer with experience working for The Florida Review and Bookstar PR. As a financial writer, she covers Medicare, life insurance and dental insurance topics for RetireGuide. Research-based data drives her work.

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  • Edited By
    Savannah Hanson
    Savannah Hanson, financial editor for RetireGuide

    Savannah Hanson

    Senior Financial Editor

    Savannah Hanson is a professional writer and content editor with over 16 years of professional experience across multiple industries. She has ghostwritten for entrepreneurs and industry leaders and been published in mediums such as The Huffington Post, Southern Living and Interior Appeal Magazine.

    Read More
  • Reviewed By
    Aflak Chowdhury
    Aflak Chowdhury

    Aflak Chowdhury

    Medicare Expert

    Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market.

    Read More
  • Published: May 3, 2022
  • Updated: June 5, 2023
  • 10 min read time
  • This page features 4 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
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A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

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APA Crossmier, L. (2023, June 5). Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Dental? RetireGuide.com. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/why-doesnt-medicare-cover-dental/

MLA Crossmier, Lindsey. "Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Dental?" RetireGuide.com, 5 Jun 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/why-doesnt-medicare-cover-dental/.

Chicago Crossmier, Lindsey. "Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Dental?" RetireGuide.com. Last modified June 5, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/why-doesnt-medicare-cover-dental/.

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Reasons Dental Services Aren’t Covered by Medicare or Medical Insurance

Simply put, for a long time, dental work wasn’t considered important enough to be covered by Medicare due to a lack of information and resources.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was established in 1965, and since then, little to no changes have been made to offer dental coverage. Politicians often ignore this coverage gap, and organized dentistry, such as America’s Health Insurance Plans and the American Dental Association, publicly oppose dental coverage through Medicare.

Barriers for Getting Dental Work Covered by Medicare
  • Dental issues don’t follow common risk factor approach
  • 70 years of disconnect between oral health, dental education and dental care delivery
  • Medical care and dental care have always been kept separate
  • Limited cost sharing makes dental health a political issue
  • Emergency dental treatment prioritized over preventive treatment

Even though dentistry is now an accepted practice, the coverage of dental care through Medicare isn’t a certainty yet.

Will Medicare Ever Cover Dental?

For the first time, Medicare coverage for dental could be coming within the next few years. President Biden proposed a 2022 budget request to include dental coverage with Medicare. This would provide dental coverage for 60 million older Americans who previously couldn’t afford to get dental work done.

Percentage of People Who Didn’t Get the Dental Service They Needed Due to Cost
Age Group Percentage
2-18 years old 4.1%
19-64 years old 18.8%
65+ 13.2%

The American Dental Association is against this proposal due to possible pay cuts, gathering their 162,000 members to oppose dental coverage for all Medicare beneficiaries.

According to the National Library of Medicine, for dental services to be successfully covered by Medicare, dental must be accepted as a part of primary health care. This would require an increase in funds, support from the government and an expansion of the health care workforce.

What Are My Other Options to Get Dental Covered?

Even if Medicare doesn’t cover dental services currently, there are still other options to consider, such as private dental insurance, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage.

While this would require you to manage multiple plans, it’s important to note that dental care becomes crucial as you age. Routine preventive visits with your dentist can help catch many serious diseases and conditions early on.

For example, according to an article from Harvard Health Publishing, if you have gum disease, you’re two to three times more at risk for a heart attack, stroke or other heart condition.

A recent Cigna study about dental costs found that on average, those who receive consistent preventive dental care can reduce their total medical bills by 4.4% per year. For those with diabetes, the savings was even higher — an average of 12.25% per year.

It’s best to review price and coverage differences to find the most cost effective dental insurance plan that’s convenient for your needs.

Private Dental Insurance

Private dental plans typically cost between $20 to $60 a month, depending on the type of coverage you choose.

Preventive services are usually 100% covered under private dental insurance. Other services, like comprehensive dental work, offer cost sharing options. For example, if you were to undergo a dental bridge procedure, then private health insurance will typically cover 50% to 80% of the cost.

For most comprehensive dental procedures under private insurance, there is a possible waiting period of up to six months. If you need a dental procedure done quicker for health reasons, then another option may be better suited for you.

Medicare Advantage

Most Medicare Advantage plans include dental coverage, along with everything included in Original Medicare.

Many plans cover 100% of preventive services with in-network doctors. For comprehensive levels of dental care, there is normally cost-sharing and out-of-pocket costs.

Preventive and diagnostic dental services covered by Medicare Advantage:
  • Dental exams
  • X-rays
  • Routine cleaning
Comprehensive dental services covered by Medicare Advantage:
  • Fillings
  • Crowns and bridges
  • Extractions
  • Roots canals
  • Dentures
  • Dental implants

Since there are different levels of coverage for each Medicare Advantage plan, the price varies. Compare Medicare Advantage plans and prices to ensure they cover the specific treatments you require before choosing a plan.

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Find a local Medicare plan that fits your needs by connecting with a licensed insurance agent.

Medicaid

Medicaid offers healthcare coverage, including dental options, for low-income Americans.

While there is no minimum requirement for adult dental coverage, less than half the states provide comprehensive dental care. Some states, like Maryland, offer no dental coverage at all. However, most states do cover emergency care.

Confirm with the Center for Health Care Strategies Medicaid chart to see if your state covers dental services to avoid unexpected costs.

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Last Modified: June 5, 2023

4 Cited Research Articles

  1. United HealthCare Services. (2022, April 12). Dental Coverage with Medicare Advantage. Retrieved from https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/shop/medicare-advantage-plans/ma-dental-benefits.html
  2. Potter, W. (2021, November 19). I Know How Lobbyists Make Sure Americans Don’t Get Dental Care–I Was One of Them. Retrieved from https://fortune.com/2021/11/19/congress-lobbying-americans-dental-care-biden-democrats-medicare-build-back-better/
  3. Kilgore, E. (2021, September 27). Why Dentists Oppose Democrats’ Plan to Add Dental Coverage to Medicare. Retrieved from https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/09/why-dentists-oppose-plan-to-add-dental-coverage-to-medicare.html
  4. Sanger-Katz, M. (2021, September 20). Five Decades Later, Medicare Might Cover Dental Care. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/29/upshot/medicare-dental-care.html