I once knew a man well into his 40’s that had a bright smile, good breath and had never had a cavity….good genetics i guessed, Some people are not so lucky either from bad habits whether it be sugar or poor nutrition or back in the day lead in the water or genetic disposition. Whatever the case may be teeth get old and at some point there may be a need greater than your regular check up.
In this article we will be taking a look at dental needs and some resources to help.
A number of men and women are inquiring about dental benefits in their Medicare plan or seeking to add more coverage than what they currently have. On the other hand we have individuals and small business owners looking for something to ease the cost of dental expenses.
First let us look at IMPLANTS (or any MAJOR Dental Expense like root canal, crowns, dentures, orthodontics, etc.)
- A single implant typically costs $2,400-$3,000, but can be $4,000-$10,000 or more if additional procedures like extractions, bone grafts, tissue grafts or a sinus lift are needed. CostHelper readers report paying $1,000-$5,000 for an implant with an average cost of $2,488.
When you need more than one implant you could be spending a small fortune. Most Medicare plans only cover a portion of this cost leaving you to pay the rest of the expense. Ideas to overcome this major expense is PLANNING. If you think you will need these services in the future than start saving now.
For that I like the HMA – Health Matching Account. It works like an HSA, except that you make fixed monthly contributions toward a goal. An example in the brochure is a $10,000 GOAL; you pay $140 each month for 35 months to accumulate $10,000 of qualified medical expenses spending. Implants are included. So if you have the time this is a great option for DOUBLING your money. When you do the math, you will have spent $4900 to get $10,000. HMA® Enrollment Page – HMA Services (healthmatchingaccounts.com) Goals can be as high as $60,000.
Another resource is CARE CREDIT. It is a credit line for medical expenses without the interest fees IF you pay it back within the time allowed. Dental Financing | CareCredit
Remember you can always use an MSA, HSA, HRA if you have one.
EXTRACTIONS, FILLINGS, WISDOM TEETH and other maintenance services.
Sign up for a Dental Plan that has a HIGHER Benefit amount. Most common is between $1000-1200 per calendar year, however Delta Dental has a $3500 option. There maybe a waiting period of 6 months if you have not had credible coverage upon enrollment. That means you can get your regular check ups but any services beyond that you may be responsible for within the first 6 months. Plus there usually is a small deductible as well for services other than bi-annual exams.
This plan includes VISION Affordable Dental Insurance and Vision Plans – Ameritas MyPlan
Preventative Services; Exams, x-rays, cleanings
www.1dental.com is membership product that offers discounts at participating providers for a known cost. It is like buying into an insurance rate but there is no cash benefit like above.
Another thought for these regular services is using Livingsocial or other social media marketing app for local provider offers. I used this to get my four kids cleanings and x-rays for $46 each, so for under $200 I was able to get all their check ups. One daughter had her wisdom teeth removed last month by the same dental office, and I shopped the cost for that service as well and I was happy to know they were as low as a quote I found. So they got our business for that.
Anyway we hope this article gives you some ideas to research if you have upcoming dental expenses or planning for them in the future.
Never a charge for a meeting; www.calendly.com/amy-n
Resources:
Health & Personal Care Costs and Prices Paid – CostHelper.com