Dental, vision, and hearing are three types of medical services that are commonly excluded from most health insurance policies. As for Medicare, the answer is yes and no, depending on the plan you choose. Here, we will provide a look into how to get dental, vision, and hearing coverage from Medicare.
What Part Of Medicare Covers Dental, Vision, and Hearing?
There are four Parts of Medicare – A, B, C, and D, but only one offers this coverage, and that’s Medicare Part C (commonly known as Medicare Advantage).
What Is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage is a private insurance plan. It offers the same inpatient and outpatient coverage as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), while also covering additional services.
Dental, vision, and hearing coverage is one of Medicare Advantage’s primary selling points.
What Types Of Dental, Vision, and Hearing Services Will Medicare Advantage Cover?
The dental services that Medicare Advantage plans cover include:
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Dentures
As for vision, coverage may include:
- Eye exams
- Glasses
- Contacts
Hearing coverage may include:
- Exams
- Hearing aids
How Much Coverage Will Medicare Advantage Offer?
This varies depending on the type of plan you get. Medicare Advantage plans come in many forms, such as:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- Special Needs Plan (SNP)
The extent of the costs your Medicare Advantage plan will cover will vary on the plan you enroll in. With many Medicare Advantage plans, your coverage will be network-based, meaning you’ll have to get treatments from certain practitioners in order to get coverage.
Even with the same plan, some dental, vision, and hearing providers will be less expensive than others – especially in the case of PPO plans. In a PPO plan, a provider will agree to treat policyholders for a lower cost.
How Do I Get Medicare Advantage?
In order to get Medicare Advantage, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare first. You can get Original Medicare if you:
- Are 65 years old or older
- Have been getting disability benefits for 24 months
- Are diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
You can join Medicare Advantage during the Initial Enrollment Period (three months before you turn 65 to three months after you turn 65) or the Open Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7).
Get The Best Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage
At JA Agency, we give you all the coverage you need under one roof. We’ll give you affordable Medicare Advantage policies that fit your needs so that you don’t have to stress about paying for the medical services you need. Call us today at (551) 795-1229.