Transcript of Finding Dental Insurance After Retirement Video

Have you ever wondered why Medicare doesn't cover dental care? It's a question we get asked all the time. In this video, I'll explain dental benefits and how they were replaced on the Medicare chopping block. I'll show you six ways that you can find suitable dental insurance after retirement.

So, let's start at the beginning. Why doesn't Medicare cover dental care? When Medicare was signed into law back in the 1960s, the American Dental Association actually opposed including dental benefits in the program. And at that time, dental insurance wasn't a standard part of most employer benefit packages, so it didn't seem unusual for it to be left out. Well, of course, times have changed, and dental health is now recognized as a vital part of your overall health. So, most employer group health plans offer it, but unfortunately, Medicare hasn't kept up. Today, it still doesn't cover routine services like cleanings, fillings, or dentures, except in very rare medically necessary situations. So, here are some ways that you can get help with your dental costs.

Number one, dental, vision, and hearing plans. A popular option among our clients is a combined dental, vision, and hearing plan. These plans are easy to use and typically don't require you to stick to a network, meaning you can see your own dentist. There are usually no waiting periods for preventive or basic services, and your benefits often increase the longer you stay enrolled. It's a great option for covering what Medicare doesn't.

Number two, standalone dental insurance plans. If you don't need vision or hearing coverage, you might wanna look into a traditional standalone dental plan. These often use PPO networks, so you'll get better coverage when you see dentists in the plan's network. You'll usually pay a small copay or coinsurance for services at the time you receive them. And while preventive care is often covered right away, there may be a short waiting period for things like major services, crowns, root canals. Both of these options, all-in-one or standalone, are easy to compare, and we can help you find a plan that fits your needs and your budget.

Number three, dental benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits as part of the overall package. These are private plans that pay instead of Medicare, and many offer preventive dental services like cleanings and exams. Just keep in mind that the benefits can vary a lot between plans and locations. Some plans include more comprehensive dental coverage, but others only offer the basics, and you'll likely need to use providers in the plan's network. Also, we never recommend choosing a Medicare Advantage plan just because it has a dental benefit. You wanna make sure that the plan's medical coverage suits your healthcare needs first. We can help you compare all of that.

Number four, dental discount plans. Now, these aren't technically insurance, but they can still help reduce your dental costs. With a dental discount plan, you may pay a membership fee, and in return, you get reduced rates from participating dentists. There are no waiting periods, which makes this a great option if you need treatment right away. This is a solid option if you're facing immediate dental costs, but again, it isn't insurance, and it isn't paying anything toward dental care. It's just access to discounts.

Number five, prepaid HMO dental plans. Another alternative is a prepaid HMO dental plan. With this type of plan, you'll need to choose a dentist from the network, and you'll pay set copays for various treatments. The dentists in these networks are paid a flat monthly fee to see you as a patient, and this is what helps keep your costs low. It's a good choice if you don't mind staying in-network and you want very predictable pricing.

Number six, employer-sponsored dental coverage. If your spouse is still working, their employer may let you stay on the dental plan, even if you're no longer on their medical insurance. It's always worth checking, especially since employer dental plans often have better coverage than individual policies.

So, there you have it, six great ways to find dental coverage when Medicare leaves you without it. At Boomer Benefits, we help our clients not only understand their Medicare choices but also explore supplemental options like these, so they're fully covered and fully confident. If you'd like help reviewing your dental coverage, or if you just want to better understand your Medicare plan, our licensed team is here and happy to assist you. And if you wanna learn more about the extra benefits some Medicare Advantage plans include, be sure to check out this video next.