Luckily, we don’t live in a world where anyone is debating whether Medicare should cover a broken finger because pinkies aren’t considered an important part of the body. But when it comes to insurance for dental care, that’s how the mouth has long been regarded. Since 1965, when Medicare was created, oral health care was
On the surface, you’d expect dentists to be fond of the Democratic proposal to expand Medicare to include dental (along with vision and hearing) coverage. It’s one of the things progressives are battling to include in the fiscal year 2022 budget reconciliation bill, a.k.a. the Build Back Better package, assuming Democratic centrists don’t shrink the
As Congress considers expanding Medicare to include dental benefits as part of the fiscal year 2022 federal budget, the American Dental Association is advocating for a distinct program that would provide comprehensive dental care to low-income older adults. Dr. Klemmedson "We hope that an innovative approach that is adequately funded and efficiently administered and utilizes
Seniors are often faced with a difficult choice when it comes to their dental health. Original Medicare doesn't offer any coverage for routine dental care, and without employer subsidies, private dental insurance for seniors can be more pricey than expected. Here's how to figure out how to get the best value for your dental insurance
A December 2019 poll conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that around 50% of adults aged 65 to 80 go without dental insurance. The same poll, titled the University of Michigan National Poll on Health Aging, also found that cost is a main factor in choosing whether or not to opt-in to dental insurance
Tooth loss is extremely common. It’s estimated that 69 percentTrusted Source of adults 35 to 44 have lost at least one adult tooth. By age 74, about a quarter of Americans lose all of their adult teeth. When you lose a tooth, it’s essential to get a proper replacement to keep the rest of your
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our state’s budget. Once again, dental care for poor adults is on the chopping block. Eliminating dental benefits for adults using Medicaid will not solve our budget problems — and will lead to more unnecessary suffering. Good oral health is essential to our health and well-being. It helps us to
Sonia Domínguez, 74, and her husband, Miguel Morejón, 81, can’t recall the last time they’ve seen a dentist in Miami, the city they’ve called home for more than two decades. “It may have been around three, four years ago,” said Domínguez. “Probably more.” At issue isn’t a lack of dental problems, but a lack of
Amidst all of the political noise in recent weeks, the House of Representatives passed a policy that could transform health care for tens of millions of Americans. It may even be something that will please everyone. The provision is based on an idea that is wildly popular with voters of all political stripes and backgrounds:
Medicare does not offer much in the way of dental benefits. To get dental coverage, you need to purchase separate and often costly dental insurance or sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental care. Advocates for Medicare beneficiaries are arguing for a change. Common dental procedures or supplies, such as cleanings, fillings,
