Make Sure You’re Covered
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that significantly helps individuals pay for medical bills. However, it does not cover all of one’s healthcare needs. The best way to get the most out of Medicare and to maximize your benefits is by knowing what you’re eligible for.
Three of the most beneficial health care coverages many individuals are looking for are: dental care, vision benefits, hearing aids, and treatments.
Dental Coverage
Medicare doesn’t cover most dental services except for the following:
- Tooth extractions and other dental services that are considered important to treat a non-dental condition
- Dental services necessary as a result of cancer treatments
- Oral exams that are done in hospitals before preceding heart valve surgery or kidney replacement
- Jaw surgery due to a traumatic accident
In addition, if you have a health condition that requires emergency tooth extractions in a hospital, Medicare Part A (inpatient hospital coverage) will cover them.
In summary, the original Medicare won’t cover the cost of dental care that includes cleanings and dentures. It is therefore recommended to check your Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C).
Dental Coverage
Get Started with Your Medicare Advantage Plan
Vision Coverage
The original Medicare doesn’t cover routine eye exams, however, there are tests that it can cover:
- Diabetic Eye Exams – once a year
- Glaucoma Screenings – once a year (for those who are at high risk for glaucoma)
- Cataract Surgeries – Medicare won’t cover facility costs and provider services that would involve insertion or adjustments of specific types of Intraocular Lens. However, Medicare Part B or Medical Insurance will help pay for corrective lenses after cataract surgery – may either be eyeglasses with standard frames or a set of contact lenses.
- Macular Degeneration Tests and Treatments related to aging
As for other vision care benefits such as routine eye exams, eyeglass frames, and lenses fitting, and contact lenses, it is best to check Medicare Part C or the Medicare Advantage Plan. These are private companies approved by Medicare to offer health coverage. It is definitely important to review and compare various Medicare Part C plans that will best suit your needs.
Hearing Coverage
Hearing Exams are covered by Medicare Part B or Medical Insurance if your healthcare provider or doctor needs to check whether you need medical treatment or to verify that you have a hearing problem. With this, you will need to pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount of the hearing exam.
The specific costs of the hearing exams may depend on several factors such as how much your doctor charges, other insurance you have, facility type, and where you will need to get your test or service.
As for Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage which is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, it can provide hearing coverages, including hearing aids.
The Original Medicare as well as Medigap does not cover hearing aids.
Medicare has changed so much in recent years, and it’s important for anyone, especially those who are age 65 or older, to review the current policy and keep updated with changes.
If you have questions about your Medicare coverage for any of these services, contact us at (800) 805-4439. We are happy to answer all your questions.