Dental coverage through Medicare/Medicaid is so limited, it might as well be non-existent. Private insurance always has a separate policy for dental. Why?
Taking care of your teeth and gums is preventative healthcare. It’s every bit as important as managing your high blood pressure, getting a mammogram or anything else. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to serious health consequences that take longer to treat, cost more, and keep you out of the workforce longer. The consequences of not taking care of your teeth and gums are covered by insurance, but the preventative care is not because it’s dental? Why?
For example, sepsis. Let’s say you get an infection in your gums and wind up in the hospital with sepsis, which can happen quite rapidly. Your hospital treatment for sepsis will be covered by your healthcare insurance, but having a cavity filled is not?
This doesn’t make any sense.
Dental is also not protected by pre-existing exclusions provided by the Affordable Care Act. Dental insurance can still refuse coverage for a “pre-existing condition.” Why? Dental coverage should be included in comprehensive healthcare.
#healthcarereform