Medicare and dental care
In most cases, Medicare does not cover dental services such as routine cleanings, fillings and tooth extractions, or items such as dentures and implants. You pay all costs for services that are not covered. Medicare may cover some dental services when you are admitted as a hospital inpatient for a dental procedure because of your medical condition or the severity of the procedure, and it may cover dental services directly tied to certain covered medical treatments. Examples include an oral exam and dental treatment before a heart valve replacement or an organ, bone marrow or kidney transplant, treatment of a mouth infection before cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, and dental exams and treatment connected to dialysis for end-stage renal disease.
Medicare also advises asking your provider how much a service will cost, because the amount you could owe depends on other insurance you have, how much the provider charges and where you get the service.
Minnesota public programs
Medical Assistance is Minnesota's Medicaid program, and MinnesotaCare is the state's public coverage for people with low incomes. Comprehensive dental benefits that were eliminated during a 2008 budget deficit were restored for adults enrolled in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare effective January 1, 2024. Minnesota also raised the base payment rate for dental services in 2022 and pays all dentists the same rates for the same services across these programs, with the aim of encouraging more dental offices to serve enrollees.
Not every office takes public programs, and enrollees in a health plan usually need an office in the plan's network. Ask the front desk whether the office accepts your coverage before you book, and ask your plan for a list of dentists near you.
Private dental insurance
Plans differ, so use the questions below with your insurer and the dental office. Ask what the plan pays for cleanings, fillings, crowns and root canals, how much you pay before the plan starts to pay (the deductible), what fixed amount you pay for a service (a copayment), whether the plan limits what it pays in a year, and whether the office is in the plan's network. The office can usually estimate your share before treatment, and it is reasonable to ask for that in writing.
Paying without insurance
The American Dental Association suggests asking whether information about fees and payment plans is provided before treatment is scheduled. When you do not have coverage, ask the office what a checkup, cleaning and X-rays cost, whether it offers a payment plan and whether lower-cost options exist for the same problem. The material for a filling is one example: amalgam is durable and more affordable than tooth-colored or gold fillings, while gold costs more than amalgam. Your dentist can explain how each option fits your tooth and your budget.
Get the numbers first
For anything beyond a routine visit, ask for a treatment plan that lists each procedure, the fee, the portion insurance is expected to cover and your portion. Compare it to what a second office quotes. To find offices to call, use the directory of St. Louis Park dentists, and for what the treatments involve, see fillings, crowns and root canals.
Common questions
Does Medicare cover routine dental care?
In most cases, no. Medicare does not cover routine cleanings, fillings or extractions, or dentures and implants, but it may cover certain dental services tied to covered medical treatment.
Does Minnesota Medical Assistance cover dental care for adults?
Comprehensive dental benefits for adults in Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare were restored on January 1, 2024. Confirm the details of your plan with the plan and the dental office.
How do I find out what a treatment will cost?
Ask the office for fees and payment plan information before treatment is scheduled, and ask for an estimate of your share if you have insurance.
Can I get a second opinion on a treatment plan?
Yes. Ask for a copy of the plan and your X-rays and take them to another office for a second opinion.
Why do two fillings cost different amounts?
The material, the size and location of the cavity, and your coverage all affect the price. Amalgam is typically less costly than tooth-colored or gold.