Dental insurance for seniors usually covers preventative care such as examinations, X-rays and cleanings. Most policies also cover a portion of the cost of fillings, extractions and other basic care. However, seniors are expected to contribute to the cost of those treatments. Comprehensive dental insurance policies may cover cosmetic treatments, dentures and other more complex forms of care.
Dental Insurance Policies Have Annual Limits
Dental insurance policies typically have annual benefit limits, meaning seniors can only claim a certain amount of their dental costs each year. This could be an issue for someone who requires extensive dental work, as they may find the insurer is unwilling to cover the whole course of treatment in 1 year.
Look for a Comprehensive Policy for Denture Cover
Dentures are outside of the scope of most basic dental care policies. Seniors who are likely to require dentures or dental implants, or who need regular checkups to ensure their dentures fit properly and their gums are still healthy, may wish to look at comprehensive policies. These policies typically have higher limits, cover a greater percentage of the cost of basic treatments and also cover cosmetic treatments or prosthetics.
Medicaid May Cover Emergency Dental Care
Those on a low income who cannot afford dental insurance may qualify for some forms of emergency dental care through Medicaid. Individual states can set their own Medicaid rules, and some states are more generous than others about what is covered. In general, only emergency care falls under Medicaid, so those who can afford a dental insurance policy may find it makes sense to take one out for access to affordable preventative care and checkups.
