Turning 65 and Need Dental Coverage? Medicare Advantage Explained

If you are turning 65 and wondering what happens to your dental coverage when you go on Medicare -- this is one of the most important things to get right before you enroll. Here is the key fact most people turning 65 do not know until it is too late: Original Medicare (the basic government Medicare you automatically get at 65) barely covers dental care at all. But many Medicare Advantage plans do. Here is exactly what you need to know before you make any enrollment decision.

What you need to know before you turn 65 about dental

When you first sign up for Medicare at 65, you are enrolling in Original Medicare -- Part A (hospital) and Part B (doctor visits). Original Medicare was designed in 1965 and specifically excluded dental care as a covered benefit. So the moment you turn 65 and transition onto Medicare, if you had dental coverage through your employer, that coverage ends -- and Original Medicare does not replace it. Unless you take action before or during your enrollment window, you could find yourself with no dental coverage at all at 65.

How Medicare Advantage fills the gap for new enrollees

When you are turning 65 and choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, one of the biggest factors for many people is dental coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans include at least preventive dental: routine cleanings twice a year, X-rays, and annual check-ups. Many plans go further and cover basic dental work like fillings and extractions, and some include major dental coverage up to an annual maximum for crowns, root canals, and dentures. This coverage is usually included in the plan at no extra monthly premium cost -- meaning you get dental coverage for turning 65 that you did not have to specifically purchase or add on.

What to check before choosing a plan at 65

Not all Medicare Advantage plans have the same dental benefits. Before you enroll in any plan when you turn 65, a licensed agent will check: (1) whether your current dentist participates in the plan's network; (2) what the plan's annual dental maximum is; (3) whether the services you are likely to need (cleanings, fillings, possible crown or denture work) are covered; and (4) whether there are waiting periods before major dental services are covered. Getting these answers takes about 5 minutes with an agent -- and it is free.

The timing matters when you turn 65

Your window to choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental coverage is your Initial Enrollment Period -- the 7 months surrounding your 65th birthday. If you miss this window and stick with Original Medicare, you may not have another easy opportunity to add dental coverage for a year or more. This is one reason why getting help from a licensed agent before you turn 65 (not after) is so important. We can make sure you choose a plan with the dental coverage you need before your window closes.

More turning-65 Medicare guides

• What Will Medicare Cost When You Turn 65? A Complete Breakdown
• Turning 65: Should You Choose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare?
• Turning 65 Medicare Enrollment: Your 7-Month Window Explained
• Turning 65: Extra Benefits You Did Not Know Medicare Advantage Includes