Originally published October 2020. Updated October 2021.
With the start of fall comes the beginning of open enrollment for Medicare, a once-yearly period in which Americans aged 65+ can sign up for medical benefits through the United States’ national health insurance program.
But for those researching their options, navigating the ins and outs can be a bit confusing. Many eligible individuals don’t understand how much Medicare costs or what it does and doesn’t cover. For instance, many people are surprised to find out that most of these plans don’t include coverage for dental care.
So, as we approach this open enrollment period, we’re here to help you understand your options so you can be ready to get the dental coverage you need to maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
Ready to take control of your smile? Explore our Individual and Family plans to find the coverage that’s right for you!
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What and When Is Open Enrollment for Medicare?
Open enrollment is the time each year when you can sign up for health insurance or make changes to your plan without being denied or incurring a higher rate based on things like pre-existing conditions.
The initial enrollment period is three months before and after your 65th birthday, and then occurs every year between October 15th and December 7th. It’s important that you stay on top of these dates to avoid late penalties or going without insurance.
One exception, known as special enrollment, allows people to sign up for health insurance outside of open enrollment if they have a qualifying life event. This could be something such as involuntarily losing your health insurance due to job loss or divorce, moving out of your plan’s service area, or getting married.
What Dental Coverage Does Medicare Offer?
The topic of what Medicare covers is a tricky one as it varies from plan to plan.
Original Medicare plans don’t offer coverage for dental care unless a procedure is needed in conjunction with a hospital treatment such as jaw surgery. This means many people go without the necessary care.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2016 65% of people on Medicare had no supplemental dental coverage and 49% hadn’t been to the dentist within the last year. What’s more, of those who did seek treatment, 19% reported spending more than $1,000 out of pocket on dental care.
These figures are even worse given that seniors are at an increased risk for dental issues such as cavities and gum disease, which can exacerbate other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
The good news is that certain Medicare Advantage plans do have dental benefits, though again, this varies widely from plan to plan. Some may only cover preventative treatments while others offer more intensive benefits such those needed to cover dentures.
How to Enroll in Dental Insurance
Maintaining good oral health is important for a lifetime of good overall health, so dental insurance for seniors shouldn’t be left to slip through the cracks.
If you’re applying for Medicare during open enrollment, you can begin by comparing Medicare Advantage plans on Medicare.gov to see what options might be available to you. Remember that only some of these plans offer dental insurance, so be sure to look closely at what each plan provides and decide on the level of coverage that’s right for you. You don’t want to pay for services you won’t need, nor do you don’t want to choose the most inexpensive plan if you know you’re going to need an extensive treatment later.
Limited or no options available? There’s still plenty of ways to get the dental coverage you need with supplemental insurance. Our Individual & Family™ plans offer a variety of affordable coverage options that are ideal for older and Medicare-eligible adults*. What’s more, our plans aren’t limited to open enrollment, so you can get the benefits you need all throughout the year to ensure a healthy smile for life.
Ready to take control of your smile? Explore our Individual and Family plans to find the coverage that’s right for you!
Get Your Quote
*Delta Dental of Washington is independent of the Medicare program and is neither associated with nor endorsed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
