A healthy smile and clear vision aren’t just about looking good. They also contribute to overall health and quality of life, particularly for older adults. Keeping up with routine dental care can nip health complications like heart disease, pneumonia and cancer in the bud, as well as keep teeth clean and eyes clear. But, without proper insurance coverage, these needs can be costly.
A new survey by the NPHA (National Planned Parenthood Association) finds that nearly all seniors support adding dental and vision coverage to Medicare. However, the cost of these services could derail retirement savings and force some people onto Medicaid in their golden years if they’re unable to afford them.
The good news is that retirees Visit website have options. There’s an individual market where they can purchase dental and vision insurance, and even Medicare Advantage plans can come with these benefits included. For example, Aetna offers a Medicare Advantage dental plan for people over 65 that includes all the benefits of Medicare Part A and B, but it also comes with dental and vision coverage.
For many individuals, purchasing health insurance is a no-brainer because it protects them against high medical bills in the event of a serious illness or accident. But, when it comes to dental and vision coverage, many are reluctant because they think of it as an extra expense they can’t afford. The reality is that if they don’t purchase these additional policies now, the costs will only increase over time.
In addition, many are losing their employer-sponsored dental insurance as they transition to retirement and move onto Medicare. This group is a prime target for financial advisors who can help them see the value of these policies and assist in finding affordable coverage options.
Currently, about 75 percent of people over age 65 lack dental coverage. This is partly because the majority of these people don’t realize that Medicare does not cover dental care. It’s also because they lose the option of continuing their employer-sponsored coverage through the retiree dental and vision program, or FEDVIP as it’s known.
FEDVIP provides dental and vision coverage on a voluntary basis to Federal and Postal employees, retirees and their family members. It was expanded under section 715 of the FY 2017 NDAA to include TRICARE-eligible individuals after the TRICARE Retiree Dental Plan ended in 2019. Individual dental and vision plans are available through private insurers at premiums that are often much lower than you’d find for traditional health insurance. To learn more, visit FEDVIP’s website. To get started, click here to use our plan compare tool and view the available dental and vision options in your area. Our plan compare tool can show you up to three plans at a time so you can quickly and easily find the right one for your needs.