Does Medicare cover dentures?
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) does not cover the cost of dentures. Without a Dental Savings Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare only covers dental work if it's “inextricably linked to, substantially related, and integral to the clinical success of . . . ” the success of specific, covered medical treatments. These treatments include organ transplant, cardiac valve replacement, and, starting in 2024, head and neck cancer treatment.
So how do I get dentures?
If you’re a Medicare recipient, or will soon be enrolling, your options include Dental Savings Plans or a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage.
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Use our free tool below to check options.
Medicare Plans That Do Cover Dentures
Medicare Advantage plans ("MA") may cover dentures.
Medicare Advantage plans are sold through private insurance companies and must offer the same coverage as original Medicare Part A and Part B (except for hospice care), plus MA plans often include additional coverage, such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug discounts.
Most Medicare Advantage plans provide dental coverage, but the coverage varies from plan to plan. Coverage may only be for preventive care – like checkups and cleanings – or may include restorative care such as crowns, bridges, or even dentures.
Coverage from plan to plan also varies in the cost sharing for various procedures, waiting periods and limits on the number of services covered per year. Like standard dental insurance, many MA plans impose an annual spending limit (typically $1,000-$1,500).
If you currently need or anticipate needing dentures, look for MA plans that specifically name this procedure, or that state they include prosthodontics. Prosthodontics is a dental specialty focused on replacing missing or damaged teeth, with treatments that include dentures, dental bridges, implants, and other procedures.
You can find information about dental coverage for each Medicare Advantage plan in your area by using our plan finder or speaking with us on a free call.
If you decide to get a Medicare Advantage plan and need dentures, our agents can help you avoid common mistakes such as needing to:
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Visit a dental professional within your plan’s network
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Abide by an annual coverage limit, which can be between $1,000 to $2,000 on average (which may be lower than the cost of dentures)
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Pay a coinsurance, typically 50% of the total original cost
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Pay an additional monthly premium for extensive dental services, usually $35 per month
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And then, wait at least five years before getting a new set of dentures
How much do dentures cost?
The costs of dentures can add up quickly, regardless of the type you get.
Full dentures are the most common type of dentures, and they may be fixed or removable. A “plate” is a dental device used to replace one or more teeth or an entire top or bottom arch. Full dentures replace all of the teeth in either the upper or lower jaws. A full set of dentures is two plates.
Bargain-priced removable dentures ($400-$1000+ per plate) are pre-made and then slightly altered to fit the wearer’s mouth.
Custom-made dentures (about $2500 per plate) are made to fit perfectly on the bony ridge of the jaw, where the teeth used to be, and are primarily held in place by suction. A good pair of properly fitting dentures doesn’t require globs of dental glue to stay in place.
Removable full dentures are the least expensive method of tooth replacement, and when made well look natural and function similarly to natural teeth. But removable dentures tend to accelerate bone loss and will need to be relined or re-made periodically to ensure they fit correctly.
Fixed dentures are held in place by four to six dental implants. Fixed dentures feel very natural to a wearer and help to ward off bone loss. The implant system is more costly, but you won’t need to have dentures remade every few years or so. Not everyone is a good candidate for dental implants, and sometimes the body rejects the implants. The cost of each implant can range from $1,600 to $2,200 for traditional implants and $500 to $1,500 for mini implants.
Dental savings plans for affordable, quality dentures
While Medicare Advantage plans dental benefits may cover dentures, like all dental insurance they typically do not include implants. And the cost of quality dentures alone will likely exceed your annual spending cap. That’s why you may want to consider a dental savings plan.
Dental savings plans (also known as discount dental plans) are a trusted alternative to dental insurance that make dental care simple, flexible and worry free. Plan members pay an annual membership fee for access to savings on virtually all dental procedures at more than 140,000 dentists and specialists nationwide – that’s 70% of all dental practices in the U.S.
Plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care and can use their plan as often as needed. While dental insurance has annual spending limits, deductibles and waiting periods, dental savings plans do not. Plans activate within 1-3 business days and do not have restrictions based on current health conditions either, so you can save on what you need, right away.
You can save on preventive care such as annual checkups and cleanings, as well as restorative care like crowns, root canals, braces, dental bridges, dentures, dental implants, and even cosmetic procedures that are not typically covered by dental insurance.
Need help choosing between dental insurance and dental savings plans? Give us a call at _______. We’ll review your needs and provide a personalized plan recommendation.
We've helped 1,000+ people in Utah access affordable, quality dental care by matching them to the best dental insurance or dental savings plan for their unique needs.
Want more details right now? Use our calculator below to see how much you can save at the dentist.
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