Despite the stereotypes and common misconceptions regarding seniors and their dental health, most Baby Boomers still have most, if not all, of their teeth!
And this is mostly true for the generation that preceded the Boomers, those who were born between 1927 and 1945. Those folks are now between 76 and 94 years old. The Baby Boomers are currently between 57 and 75 years old and there are almost 72 million in the U.S. today.
So, when we think of seniors in Sonoma County, we can say that includes everyone 65 years and older. And there are approximately 95,000 residents of our County in that age range.
We can also say that almost every one of them needs dental coverage for seniors.
Considering Dental Coverage For Seniors
According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, seniors make the most visits to the dental office due in large part to their age and the impact that again can have on oral health.
But not many of them have dental insurance.
In 2016, 65% of people enrolled in Medicare did not have dental care coverage, and 19% of those who used dental services paid over $1,000 out of pocket.
Initially, there are two considerations when it comes to the best dental insurance for seniors:
- Those who want dental insurance outside of Medicare
- Those who want dental insurance through Medicare
According to information at Investopedia,
“Most seniors on Medicare need to purchase additional dental insurance. Original Medicare—Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance)—doesn’t cover routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, crowns, and dentures. It may cover certain dental expenses related to surgery or as part of an emergency.”
It is important to know that, if you have Original Medicare and want dental coverage, you can either buy a separate dental plan on your own or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, also known as Medicare Part C, that includes dental benefits.
For assistance in finding and purchasing the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare, it can be quite beneficial to enlist the help of a qualified agent such as J.C. Lewis Insurance Services.
Considering The Best Dental Insurance Providers For Medicare Seniors
While there are several dental insurance coverage providers who offer Medicare Advantage plans, a few stand out as having the best dental insurance for seniors on Medicare.
For the best overall, it may be a close tie between United Healthcare and Humana.
United Healthcare is a top overall pick as they offer Medicare Advantage plans with a large network and flexible premiums. In addition, they have access to AARP benefits and can boast a simple customer interface.
Humana, on the other hand, offers very low premiums. According to one review, most of its Medicare Advantage plans do cover dental insurance and provide multiple benefits, which are broken down very clearly and make it easy to compare prices.
When You Need Your Own Dental Insurance Without Medicare Part C
There are a variety of reasons why Sonoma County seniors might choose to shop for their own individual or family dental plan that is not a Medicare Advantage Plan. And, as with the latter, it is still a great idea to seek out the advice and guidance of a trusted local agent like J.C. Lewis Insurance services.
With that being said, Cigna has been rated as having the best overall plans. And, while no insurance provider is perfect nor the best fit for everyone, Cigna offers three plan options with the lowest estimated premium prices starting at just $19 per month. Cigna can be a great option for those looking for basic and preventative care.
Ranking right up there is Delta Dental, the largest dental insurance provider in the US. This fact is due in large part because of its partnership with AARP and a customer base exceeding 80 million Americans. Because of their relationship with AARP, Delta Dental offers specific services geared towards seniors, unlike most dental insurance providers.
J.C. Lewis Insurance Services And Dental Plans For Seniors
JC Lewis Insurance, located in beautiful Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, offers California health insurance plans only from leading health insurance carriers licensed to do business in California.
In addition to being expert health insurance agents and brokers, we are licensed and certified by each insurance carrier to offer coverage to individuals, families, small group employers, and to seniors for Medicare supplemental and prescription drug plans, as well as dental plans.
If you are currently working and your employer doesn’t provide dental coverage, an individual or Medicare Advantage Plan may be the best option for you and your spouse.
And remember to take advantage of your one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit if you’ve just recently enrolled in Medicare. This comprehensive visit comes at no cost and helps you plan for a healthy future. To prepare for this visit be sure to bring your medical and immunization records, information about your family’s health history, and a list of your prescription medications.
For help in finding the right California Medicare dental, health, or prescription drug plan and finding Medicare providers in your area, give JC Lewis Insurance Services a call toll-free at 866-745-9555.
We’ll help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision.
