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Despite the essential role of oral health in overall well-being, Medicare does not provide comprehensive dental coverage, leaving one in three older adults without dental coverage and forcing them to pay out-of-pocket or go without necessary care.
This oral health fact sheet from CareQuest Institute highlights the health risks and economic consequences of Medicare’s limited dental coverage. For example, strengthening Medicare to include periodontal treatment for patients with diabetes and heart disease could save up to $42 billion annually.
You may also be interested in:
- Another Billion Reasons for a Medicare Dental Benefit, a report analyzing the billions of dollars that could be saved in treating chronic diseases by including periodontal treatment in Medicare.
- Out of Pocket: A Snapshot of Adults’ Dental and Medical Care Coverage, a report finding that one in three US adults over age 60 do not have dental insurance.
- Dental Coverage National Voter Polling Results, a nationwide poll showing that 9 in 10 US voters support adding a dental benefit to Medicare.