Dental Insurance For Retired Seniors - Dental and Vision Insurance Plans for Seniors and Retirees What's important to you is important to Delta Dental and VSP. Ready to buy or have a question? Call us! (860) 430-4127. DeltaVision plans are only sold in conjunction with Delta Dental Individual and Family plans. Get started by choosing a dental plan below or by viewing our DeltaVision plan options. Overview of benefits: You pay the following percentages of your dentist's fees after you have paid your excess and co-insurance (if applicable). The monthly premiums shown are only examples of the lowest monthly rates for family coverage (member and spouse, age 65+).
* These are benefits only. The monthly premiums shown are only examples of the lowest monthly rates for family coverage (member and spouse, age 65+). Actual rates vary depending on plan selection, your age, location, number of policyholders, their age and relationship with you. Waiting periods can be waived if you had suitable dental cover before enrolment. Plans may have certain limitations and exclusions. For complete details on plans, benefits and pricing, visit DeltaDentalCoversMe.com.
Dental Insurance For Retired Seniors
Delta Dental of Connecticut is part of the Delta Dental Plans Association. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other US territories. things they don't do. Dental insurance for seniors often falls into the latter category, as it is often seen as an "unnecessary" expense. The prospect of paying a significant amount in dental premiums each month for a service that is misused is a major disincentive that keeps many retirees from signing up.
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Unfortunately, most people find out the hard way that they need dental insurance. Your teeth may appear to be in excellent health right now, but plaque can quickly build up on older teeth, leading to cavities and gum disease.
It's important to use your retirement income wisely, but dental plans for seniors aren't something you should skip in an effort to save money. Whether you're ready to sign up for a plan or not, here are five reasons why dental insurance for seniors is important.
Dentin is the bone-like tissue that lies beneath the tooth enamel. As you age, the outer layer of your teeth gradually wears away, revealing the yellow dentin underneath. There are some signs of aging that we cannot slow down, but dental insurance for seniors and regular dental visits can protect the appearance of your pearly enamel with regular cleaning and polishing.
Unfortunately, as health declines with age, many seniors take prescription drugs and medications to treat their ailments. There are several types of medications, such as those that treat Parkinson's disease, that have the common side effect of dry mouth (formally known as "xerostomia"). This is not good for oral health as lower saliva levels increase the risk of oral infection and cavities.
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Considering that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in the elderly, it is incredibly important to talk to your dentist when you are prescribed anything that could affect your teeth or gums. Your dentist can also help you ward off thrush, which is a fungal infection that often occurs due to a weakened immune system that can come from prescription medications.
Inadequate dental care causes the gums to recede from the tooth, exposing the root to acids from food. The root lacks enamel for protection, so when it is no longer hidden by gum tissue, it has no protective shield and becomes susceptible to serious damage and wear.
Seniors are also very prone to gum disease, especially if they skip regular dental visits due to lack of coverage. Gum disease is caused in many ways - including poor diet and smoking - but the main cause is poor dental hygiene. Harmful bacteria accumulate and initially cause a little bleeding when brushing or flossing, known as gingivitis.
This can then progress to periodontal disease, which causes the inner layers of your gums to pull away from your teeth. Bacteria multiply on the food inside these cavities and emit harmful compounds that continue to further degrade the health of the teeth and gums.
Dental Care Is Health Care
As the tissue breaks down, the tooth becomes loose and can eventually fall out – which is why periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss.
As root decay and gum disease progress, teeth will inevitably begin to fall out. It sounds extreme, but unfortunately it is incredibly common among seniors. According to the CDC, one in five adults age 65+ has lost all of their teeth.
Missing teeth can lead to further complications. If they are not replaced with dentures—which can be difficult to afford without senior dental insurance—then the rest of the teeth begin to drift away and fill the open spaces. When they begin to shift, they can affect the natural alignment of the jawbone and cause:
Losing your teeth doesn't just affect your smile or your confidence. it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies and poor diets. Alternatively, if you can afford dentures without dental coverage for seniors, you may be exposing yourself to denture-induced stomatitis. This condition is caused by ill-fitting dentures and is characterized by inflammation of the gum tissue, which can be very uncomfortable.
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The good news is that this can be avoided with good oral hygiene and preventive treatment, which is often covered by dental insurance.
It is important to understand that oral health is very much connected to your overall health. The National Association of Dental Plans reports that those without dental benefits report higher rates of other illnesses. Specifically, they are:
If you want to enjoy a long and healthy life, then these numbers should highlight the critical importance of dental insurance for retirees. Those who do not visit it less often and miss the opportunity for prevention, diagnosis and early treatment. Not only can this save you money on expensive dental work to repair serious damage caused over time, but it can also save your life in the long run.
Most exempt employees are offered some form of medical and dental coverage by their employer, but these benefits are no longer available upon retirement. Medicare is the national health care system that partially fills the gap in insurance coverage for retiring seniors and helps cover some basic health care costs. However, Medicare coverage is limited, which is why many seniors look to Medicare Supplement Insurance for additional financial help.
Affordable Dental Insurance Plans For Individuals
Importantly, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care or dentures. In fact, nearly one-fifth of Medicare beneficiaries spent more than $1,000 on dental services out of pocket each year. Without dental care plans for seniors included in Medicare, many seniors choose to forgo dental care altogether, the consequences of which we have discussed above. Between a dark and non-existent smile, tooth decay and gum disease, nutritional deficiencies and overall declining health, the importance of dental insurance for seniors becomes blatantly obvious.
It's simple: Those with access to dental services are more likely to receive dental care. If you are over 65, you may still be entitled to the same benefits from your employer. When you are retired and no longer working, you may be able to purchase individual dental coverage or get coverage through a supplemental benefit in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The CDC reports that 65.6% of adults 65+ have had a dental visit in the past 12 months—and they should. If you're worried about affording treatment, the US Department of Health and Human Services explains different ways seniors can find low-cost dental care at HHS.gov. Some options they discuss include:
Medicaid eligibility is income-based and is reserved for low-income individuals with a demonstrated need for financial assistance. If you are struggling to make ends meet and enjoy a comfortable retirement, there are many resources that provide financial assistance to low-income seniors.
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One such option is a reverse mortgage, which allows eligible homeowners age 62+ to tap a portion of their equity to convert to loan proceeds. Depending on how you choose to receive your reverse mortgage proceeds, the additional income may not affect your Medicaid eligibility.
At GoodLife, our mission is to help seniors live their retirement to the fullest—and that includes helping you get the oral care you need using dental insurance for retirees. We can discuss the relationship between a reverse mortgage and Medicaid so that you can keep your government subsidies if you are enrolled.
To discuss your eligibility for a reverse mortgage and how this type of financing can help you get dental care, direct your questions to a GoodLife Reverse Mortgage specialist who will be happy to help.
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