Does Medicare cover dental care?

Here’s a closer look at the parts of Medicare that do and don’t offer dental coverage.

Dental coverage with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)

Original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental care, dental procedures or dental supplies. If you have Original Medicare, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for almost all dental services.

Part A could provide limited coverage for dental treatments you get in a hospital. These treatments must be part of another Medicare-covered service, or dental care designed to protect your overall health, such as:¹

• Dental or oral exams prior to the Medicare-covered services 
  
• Dental ridge reconstruction to remove a tumor
• Services to stabilize or immobilize teeth related to a jaw fracture

Part A may also pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care isn’t covered.¹ 

Dental coverage with Medicare Advantage

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra dental and vision benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Some of the dental services a Medicare Advantage plan could cover include: 

• Preventive dental exams 
  
• Teeth cleanings 
• X-rays 
• Dental fillings 
• Anesthesia 
• Dentures 

Usually, Medicare Advantage plans  will require you to visit an in-network dentist to be covered. These added dental benefits will vary by plan and likely require deductibles and copays.

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans  do not offer coverage for dental services. These plans help pay your share of healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

How can I get coverage for dental services Medicare doesn’t cover?

Some Medicare Advantage plans can be paired with a dental insurance plan. You'll have to pay a monthly premium and satisfy deductibles and copays, but you could pay lower out-of-pocket fees. Most of these dental plans require that you see an in-network dentist. 

Humana can help with dental costs

Some Humana Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for preventive dental services like exams and cleanings. View Humana Medicare Advantage plans  in your area today.