Question for Retirees on dental coverage - Page 3

LTT1 · ‎03-09-2010

Mine is $27/month thru CIGNA.

it has been well worth that small amount.

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~

ahoymate · ‎05-30-2010

$27 a month? What does it cover or should I say Not cover?

deeva · ‎03-09-2010

I’ve never considered not having dental insurance “living dangerously “I’ve replaced one crown in the last twelve years. I would have spent a lot more than that on minimal dental coverage.

Some of us have savings accounts to pay for unexpected expenses.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

@CrazyDaisy wrote:
@ID2 wrote:
Wow, I'm shocked at those that are living life on the dangerous side! I would never live without insurance! I'm turning 65 next month and am deep in looking into all the health plans out there for Medicare. I don't have dental issues but picked a plan that will be well-worth $23/month. Who on earth wouldn't pay $23/month for dental coverage?? I just feel many are not looking past today.

You need to look at what you get, what you need and how much it costs. Most dental plans cover only the basics and have high co-pay and a low annual cap for other services. Most dental practices have plans or reduced prices for those without insurance. Looking at all options to see what best fits your individual situation and comfort level is prudent.

@CrazyDaisy. Exactly. I have Medicare and chose their dental which is 19 dollars a month. It doesn't cover much. Two cleanings a year, but hardly covered a thing for four implants or for a deep cleaning. It would be cheaper for me to drop it which I am considering.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@homedecor1 wrote:
@SeaMaiden

Spouse opted to continue his dental insurance after retirement (not Cobra) as it was part of the benefit package.

It cost us $47/month and the yearly limit is $1500 they pay.

It's OK, but, not great...

I know it covers 2 cleanings/year with no charge to us. We were considering cancelling it this year, but, I'm thinking if we do then we'll start having dental issues.

Both of us have fairly good teeth, but, I have many caps which I know are starting to "leak" and will have to be replaced. He has a few. The way I look at the expense its better to pay for 1/2 these services than 100%!

We have 100% medical, eye care, Rx & our employers provide us the coverage at no cost. Therefore, I feel the dental is not a financial issue for us.

I think it would depend on how much and what it covers when you are making the decision.

I pay 47 dollars a month for an Aetna dental plan. You should consider keeping your coverage. If you cancel, can you buy later? My insurance would not let me signup later. There was a little rule about continuation of care.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@ID2 wrote:
Wow, I'm shocked at those that are living life on the dangerous side! I would never live without insurance! I'm turning 65 next month and am deep in looking into all the health plans out there for Medicare. I don't have dental issues but picked a plan that will be well-worth $23/month. Who on earth wouldn't pay $23/month for dental coverage?? I just feel many are not looking past today.

Dear Reader, some folks can't afford dental insurance with the high cost of copays for meds,and medical services.

Please look at as many Medicare plans as possible. I find the deduables and copays to be expensive. My sister has United Health Care, regular Medicare with Medicare part D. I have an Aetna Advantage plan with a separate Part D, I received my insurance when I retired.

My plan has copays, but no deduable , My sister's plan does not have copays or deduable. She does pay a high shared cost for Meds.

FrostyBabe1 · ‎05-09-2016

I am a early retiree who isn't anywhere near eligible for Medicare, so any dental (or vision) coverage included with a Medicare plan isn't relevant to me. I private pay my medical insurance thru BCBS and haven't had dental coverage for at least 10 years. My experience with private pay dental insurance is that the premiums cost more than it costs me to get my teeth cleaned twice a year and a set of bite wing x rays every 2-3 years. Coverage for any type of treatment was laughable. Even the "cadillac plan" had fewer than 10 dentists in my metropolitan area of 150,000+ people accepting it. When I do need a filling or some other treatment, i just pay for it and add it to my list of unreimbursed medical expenses to take as a tax deduction. I'm certainly not "living dangerously" without a plan that would be a waste of money.

~The more someone needs to brag about how wonderful, special, successful, wealthy or important they are, the greater the likelihood that it isn't true. ~

FranandZoe · ‎03-09-2010

My hubby & I don't pay anything for our Medicare advantage plans but they do not include dental coverage. (We pay just for Medicare.)

Dental coverage has never been included on our health insurance since we retired.

When we retired we paid for dental for a few years but didn't think it was worth it between the premiums and co-pays.

We have enough income and savings to cover our own dental costs.

Certainly not "living dangerously."

bluehost · ‎09-21-2017

Crowns cost $500-1500. Dental cleaning runs $114 - 320. On & on. Dentistry is not cheap. At $27/month, what are you getting?

@SeaMaiden

Mine is $27/month thru CIGNA.

it has been well worth that small amount.

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

Our Medicare supplenent insurance includes basic dental care every 6 months and eye exams once a year. I have yet to find dental coverage for the elderly that doesn't cost a fortune and pays for the kind of expensive dental work I need to keep most of my natural teeth. I'm fortunate to have the funds to pay for my dental work.