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No matter how many birthdays you’ve celebrated, good oral health is essential to overall health.
But older adults can have unique oral health needs and barriers to accessing dental care, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which found that almost half of adults aged 65–80 (47%) do not have dental insurance. One in five say they experience dental pain and have problems with eating and chewing. The same percentage of older adults said they have not been able to access needed dental care in the past two years due to cost or problems with their dental insurance.
The two main reasons for delaying or not receiving needed dental care were out-of-pocket costs (77%), problems with dental insurance/cost of having dental insurance (52%).
Senior dental care options through the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
The ACA – also known as Obamacare – does not require adults to have or purchase dental insurance; and few of the plans on the Marketplace include dental coverage for adults.
Stand-alone dental insurance policies are available through the federal health Marketplace, healthcare.gov, but only with the purchase of a medical insurance plan from the Marketplace. If you are a Medicare recipient, you cannot purchase health insurance through Healthcare.gov. Some states are working towards offering broader adult dental coverage, but typically that is delivered through Medicaid.
If you are not a Medicare recipient, you may opt to purchase your healthcare coverage through the marketplace and can opt to add a dental plan. Check to make sure it’s not pediatric coverage only, as many of the standalone dental insurance plans only offer benefits for children.
A few state-run marketplaces do allow residents to purchase stand-alone dental plans without the requirement that they also purchase a health insurance policy. You can also obtain dental insurance plans from brokers, agents, and insurance companies. For more information on the best dental plans for seniors, read our article.
Dental care access through Medicare
Original Medicare does not provide coverage for routine dental care. Many Medicare Advantage managed care plans do offer dental benefits. In fact, 72% of those with Medicare Advantage coverage said they’d chosen their plan in part because it covered dental care, according to the National Poll on Healthy Aging.
The rules applicable to people who want to purchase ACA health insurance and qualify for Medicare are complex. It’s best to speak with an advisor who is familiar with your unique circumstances. In general, though, in the states where the federal government runs the ACA Marketplace, dental coverage is available only to those who also buy health insurance. And stand-alone dental plans are not eligible for subsidies. Options to explore include obtaining dental coverage through Medicare Advantage, purchasing a supplementary insurance plan designed for Medicare recipients, or joining a dental savings plan as an alternative to traditional dental insurance.
Dental savings plans for older adults
Dental savings plans, also known as dental discount plans, are a trusted alternative to traditional dental insurance that provide discounts on virtually all procedures. Plan members report saving an average of 50%* on their dental care.
The advantages of dental savings plans extend beyond the savings. Unlike dental insurance, dental savings plans have no annual spending limits (dental insurance typically restricts you to $1,000-$1,500 per year, about the cost of a root canal and crown) and no restrictions on existing health conditions. This makes dental savings plans a great choice for older adults, who often need more costly procedures to maintain oral health and a great-looking smile.
You can start saving at the dentist right away, even on expensive restorative care such as bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Many plans even cover cosmetic dental procedures such as teeth whitening and overlays.
It’s simple to choose a plan at DentalPlans.com, the largest marketplace for dental savings plans and dental insurance. You can compare more than 25 plans from the most trusted brands in healthcare, and easily join your selected plan.
Want a personalized recommendation? Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399, we’d be happy to help you find the plan that fits your budget and gives you the best savings on quality dental care. Want a quick peek at how much you can save? Use our calculator below.
* Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.