Dental health is important for overall health, and dental insurance is critical for seniors to keep cost of care reasonable.
Dental care is critical for overall health, and this is especially true for seniors. Unfortunately, obtaining dental insurance can be a bit of a struggle if you’re not sure where to look or what your needs are. There are many options, all of which come with their own sets of pros and cons that need to be carefully weighed against your needs and circumstances. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 53% of seniors say they’ve had to delay dental care, and 23% of Medicare enrollees say they’ve delayed or gone without dental care. It’s very important to find dental insurance that works for you and allows you to receive the care you need when you need it.
Medicare Advantage
One method of obtaining dental insurance is through a Medicare Advantage plan. These are comprehensive private plans that include dental and vision benefits—some of them even include coverage or discounts for health and wellness expenses such as gym memberships. These can be an excellent way to get the coverage you need in a single plan.
Networked Private Insurance Plans
Plans that deal with in-network and out-of-network dentists include Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMOs).
PPOs allow you to see dentists that are in-network or out-of-network, but in-network dentists will have more coverage through your insurance and therefore save you money on your care.
DHMOs pay in-network dentists per patient each month, so they don’t cover any benefits for out-of-network dentists. However, the dentists in these networks provide services to patients at little to no cost.
Which is Right for You?
There are some other options available for dental insurance, but finding the one that’s right for you depends on your needs and circumstances. If you already have a dentist, it can be helpful to ask them about any programs they’re in and see if they have options that work for you. If you don’t have a dentist yet or are looking to switch and need to access affordable dental insurance, contact a benefits advisor such as Aging Benefits Advisory for a free consultation so you can get the coverage you need at a price you can reasonably afford. We’re happy to help by answering any questions and going over all of the options available with you!
Contact Aging Benefits Advisory Today!
If you need help navigating the world of senior health insurance, our advisors at Aging Benefits Advisory are here to assist. Take advantage of our free consultation to ensure that you receive the plan for your budget and needs. We specialize in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, Dental, Vision, and Final Expense for the senior market of Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Polk County, Sarasota County, Citrus County, and Marion County, Florida. If you would like a free consultation, contact us online or give us a call at 727-266-0355. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.