Medigap, otherwise known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a private insurance policy that can help pay for some out-of-pocket healthcare costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover. Medigap does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care.
However, the good news is that some exceptions could help you. We’ll break them down in the rest of the article. But before that, remember that not all situations are the same. The specific details, fees, and the type of add-on vision and dental policies available could vary depending on your location and plan. It’s best to speak with one of our Robert J Stillwell representatives, who can answer any questions you may have on dental and vision coverage.
What Does Medigap Cover?
Medigap plans cover your share of costs for medical care that’s covered by Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Here’s how that works:
- Part A covers costs associated with hospital and skilled nursing expenses.
- Part B covers physician services, outpatient care, tests and supplies.
What Does Medigap Not Cover?
According to Medicare.gov, here are some of the expenses Medigap doesn’t cover:
- Vision or Dental care
- Hearing aids
- Eyeglasses
- Private-duty nursing or long-term care at nursing homes
- Long-term preventative care treatments like physiotherapy, podiatry, acupuncture, and chiropractic.
Fortunately, there’s an exception. Medicare may pay for dental expenses if you sustain an injury to your sound and natural teeth then it may be Medicare approved. Please note, it is rare that this happens.
Outside of these, there are other health insurance alternatives to consider for your dental or vision care.
Medicare Advantage Plan May Cover Dental and Vision Care
Although Original Medicare and Medigap policies don’t cover routine dental care, many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental and vision care. So, switching to Medicare Advantage (Part C) could be an effective alternative. Medicare Advantage plans that pay for dental and vision may cover the following:
- Routine dental examinations
- Teeth cleanings
- Denture allowance
- Routine eye exams
- Prescription glasses and contact lenses allowance
- Some plans include implants
Dental and Vision Insurance Plans
While Medical Supplement or Medigap plans don’t include coverage for dental or vision care, there are separate dental and vision insurance plans that can supplement your Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage, which we mentioned earlier, is only one of them. Other standalone insurance plans provide extra coverage for services Medicare doesn’t cover, including dental and vision care services.
You can enjoy benefits like routine eye exams yearly, eyeglasses or contact lenses, dental cleanings, oral exams, dental X-rays, oral cancer screening, extractions, fillings, etc.
If you want to learn more about your options or have questions about eligibility, we’re always happy to help. We will help you compare your options to find the coverage that’s perfect for you.