As you plan for retirement, you might expect that Medicare will cover all of your necessary medical service. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Depending upon the type of Medicare plan you choose, you will probably end up paying out of pocket for at least some of your healthcare. That is especially true with regard to dental and vision care, especially if you enroll in Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B).

Here’s what you need to know: Original Medicare does not cover dental and vision care, except in certain (and very limited) emergency situations. Generally speaking, you will have to pay your dentist and eye care professional yourself. On the other hand, some Medicare Advantage plans do offer coverage for these services.

Medicare Advantage plans are contracted through private insurance companies, who can put together their own package of coverage. Advantage plans cover everything offered through Original Medicare, but often with the addition of other types of services such as dental and vision care. However, each Advantage plan is different, and you will usually pay a monthly premium for these plans (unless you choose a $0 premium plan, which is sometimes possible).

Vision care offered through Medicare Advantage plans will generally include preventive screenings, routine eye exams, and corrective lenses.

Dental care offered through Medicare Advantage will often include the following, although plans might differ:

• Routine dental exams
• Dental X-rays
• Routine teeth cleanings
• Fillings
• Tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Gum disease treatment
• Dentures
• Dental implants
• Bridges
• Crowns

To learn more about which Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for dental and vision care, and what that coverage looks like, call one of our insurance professionals. We can help you assess your budget, evaluate different plans, and choose one that suits your needs and budget.