Growing old is no fun. Just when you have it all figured out, you can’t do half the stuff you would love to. And one thing is for sure, the older we get, the more health needs we have. For many, dental is what was easiest to ignore among other costly health needs and now the consequences have reared their ugly heads. Because of it, many seniors need implants, but there were no options with Medicare or Medicare Advantage – until now. So, are you on Medicare and need dental implants? If so, now there is help.

The Cost of an Implant

Dental implants cost between $1,500 and $2,000 for the implant itself, not counting the collateral charges (crown, abutment, root and tooth extraction in preparation for the implant, pre-op and post-op care, etc.) which can make the total cost for each implant between $3,000 to $4,800, depending on the condition of your jaw and where you get the procedure done.

Therefore, if you need several implants, it can be cost prohibitive. This is why no Medicare Advantage plan has offered this option. It would be more cost-effective to use a bridge or dentures. Until now.

Medicare Advantage Plans Will Pay for Implants

The time has finally arrived where two A+-rated, well-known, national Medicare Advantage carriers decided to cross the Rubicon and offer implants. Insurance carriers are realizing that implants are an investment in health and would save them more money (and you more suffering) in the long run.

Dentures and bridges and missing teeth weaken the jawbone that secure your teeth, which is why they need realigning annually. Left with gaps, this weakness gets worse, and teeth become loose. Implants fill the gap(s) and provide firm support, as teeth were designed to have. Moreover, if your teeth aren’t cared for properly and in a timely manner, they lead to other health conditions, including heart trouble.

How Do I Qualify?

There are two options, one is available to all (if they live in the areas of coverage) and the other requires you to qualify for a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). So, the first thing we must identify is if you live in a covered area. If you do, then it’s a matter of seeing whether your doctors are in the network, unless you are willing to change some doctors if necessary.

If you are not on a D-SNP and would like to know if you qualify, contact YourCareRep LLC. We will ask you some questions and give you an idea of whether you qualify. If so, or if we are unsure, we will submit an Extra Help application for you, which is another great program that saves you thousands of dollars on prescription drug costs.

In the process of submitting the application, it asks if you want your information sent to the state you reside in to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) which is administered by the State’s Medicaid Department. If you do qualify, Medicaid will pay for your Medicare premiums (you will get your $170.10 completely back each month) and qualify for this special plan with the implants, among other dental services like braces, at $0 copay to you.

If you are already on a D-SNP plan with another carrier and would like to get implants, contact us and we can go over the plan and ensure your doctors are in network, as well as ensure all your medications are covered. Then we can let you know what your options are. If it’s right for you, it can be effective as early as the first of the next month.

See if You Qualify for Implants

Reach out to us and see if any of the plans are right for you. And with two major carriers offering implant options, chances are a great many doctors are in the network(s). If you are unsure whether you qualify for a D-SNP or have Medicaid and want to start the process to get implants, contact us. We can put you on the plan and you can receive two implants in the remaining part of 2022, and two more after January 1, 2023. Get the smile you deserve and start enjoying your meals again.