Many Seniors Need Dental Care But Lack Coverage

The Boston Herald carries KHN contributing columnist Michelle Andrews’ piece stating many seniors need dental care, but paying for it can be “a serious concern” since traditional Medicare does not cover dental care. According to an analysis by the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, over a third of low-income seniors “had untreated tooth decay between 2011 and 2014.” Some have proposed adding dental coverage to Medicare Part B to increase seniors’ access to dental care, while others advocate for seniors buying private dental coverage. Marko Vujicic, the vice president of the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, said that private dental coverage often lacks value for seniors, because the premiums and copays exceed the benefits.

        MouthHealthy.org provides a guide to finding and paying for dental care, listing factors to consider when determining if purchasing a dental benefit plan will save money on dental care costs.