Does Medicare pay for dental and vision coverage? Find out more information in the article below.
Does Medicare Pay for Dental Services?
Medicare pays for dental services if they are closely related to another medical service. In most cases, it will not pay for cleanings, fillings, dental plates, dentures, tooth extractions and other dental devices.
Medicare Part A, the hospital insurance portion of the program, will pay for dental services under certain circumstances. For example, if you need a dental procedure while you are in the hospital, Medicare may pay for it. If you must have a complicated dental procedure or you are having a dental emergency, Medicare may pay for your hospital stay. Medicare may also pay for dental services if they are a part of or related to an organ transplant or a cardiac procedure.
You will need to pay for your dental services in most cases.
Does Medicare Offer Vision Coverage?
Medicare Part B offers you coverage for preventive services, and some vision care falls under this umbrella. This includes diagnostic tests and care for some eye conditions. Routine eye examinations, however, are not covered, and neither are glasses or contact lenses.
Which Services Are Covered under Medicare Part B?
Macular Degeneration
Under Medicare Part B, screening for macular degeneration is covered. When the macula, a portion of your retina, becomes damaged, macular degeneration occurs. It is a common condition in older people, and it causes you to lose your central vision. Medicare will pay for preventative screening for this condition as well as some of the diagnostic tests you will need.
Diabetes-Related Testing
Diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy. When you have high blood sugar, it damages the blood vessels in your eyes. In response, these blood vessels may close, leak or swell, and this has a negative effect on your eyesight. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your Medicare Part B coverage will cover screenings for diabetic retinopathy and eye examinations every year.
Glaucoma Tests
Glaucoma occurs when your optic nerves become damaged. Several groups are susceptible to contracting glaucoma, and they include older people, people of Hispanic or African descent, those with diabetes and those with a family history of the condition. If you are a member of one of the groups with a higher risk of this condition, Medicare will pay for a glaucoma test every year.
Are There Any Other Additional Services that Medicare Covers?
Yes. Under some circumstances, Medicare will cover the following:
Cataract Surgery
If you have been diagnosed with an ongoing eye condition, Medicare may pay for the treatment. One example is cataract surgery. To have Medicare pay for it, you will need to have laser or traditional surgery.
Glasses and Contact Lenses
After your cataract surgery, Medicare will cover the contact lenses or pair of glasses that you receive afterward. If you are upgrading your frames, you are going to be responsible for paying the additional costs. Lastly, the contact lenses or glasses must come from a Medicare-approved supplier.
What Is a Medicare Advantage Plan?
If you do not fit into the categories listed above and would like to increase your dental or vision coverage, you may choose to switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan. A Medicare Advantage plan is part of your Medicare benefits. It will just be another type of health plan that can provide you with additional dental and vision coverage.
You must purchase your Medicare Advantage plan from a private health insurance company that Medicare approves. This private company will follow all of Medicare’s rules and regulations.
What Does a Medicare Advantage Plan Cover?
A Medicare Advantage plan will cover services that fall under your Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage plans cover many things that Original Medicare does not. These include routine dental examinations or cleanings and some vision services. You may also obtain a plan that covers hearing and gym memberships.
Who Can Join a Medicare Advantage Plan?
In order to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you must have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. You must also live in the service area of the Medicare Advantage plan that you wish to join. Lastly, you must be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.
When Can I Join a Medicare Advantage Plan?
You can join a Medicare Advantage plan during the Open Enrollment Period. This begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. If the plan receives your request to join by December 7, your coverage will begin on January 1.
You can also join a Medicare Advantage plan rather than Original Medicare during your initial enrollment period. Your initial enrollment period begins three months before the month that you turn 65, and it ends three months after the month that you turn 65.
You are welcome to visit Medicare.gov to compare Medicare Advantage plans in your location. By creating an account, you can obtain personalized results for your Medicare Advantage plan search. Then, you may be able to apply for the plan online.
