Many patients lament that they need single-tooth dental implants but cannot afford them because pricing starts at $3,500 – well above the annual benefit maximum for those with insurance.
Others express concern that they need full-mouth dental implants but can’t afford them because the prices range up to $50,000 and higher – more than many people earn in a year.
How do you pay for dental implants when the costs are out of your reach? One tiny bite at a time.
You probably will not find a single solution that helps you pay for all dental implants expenses. Still, you could find many possible avenues that reduce expenditures you never considered, including medical insurance, tax deductions, payment plans, financial assistance, and more.
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Are Free Government Dental Implant Grants Real?
Free government grants for dental implants sound too good to be true, and it is -no federal agency awards grants to individuals for personal use.
However, many government-funded programs provide benefits that could significantly lower your cost of replacing decayed, broken, or lost teeth. Now that is something to smile about!
How To Get Help With Dental Implants: Free Programs
What is the best way to afford dental implant surgery or dentures? Have somebody else give you the money via financial assistance.
Unfortunately, charitable organizations rarely provide help for cosmetic procedures. However, the government offers support hidden in the tax code and other places.
Inexpensive Dental Implants for Seniors Paid by Medicare
Dental implants for seniors on Medicare are anything but inexpensive, creating a dilemma for them because the need to replace missing teeth increases with age.
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not include dental benefits, and Advantage Plans have annual benefit maximums well below the cost of a single tooth implant.
Fortunately, seniors have other ways to reduce costs hidden below the surface of commonly used programs.
When Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental Implant Steps
Traditional Medicare rarely pays for any dental procedures unless medically necessary. However, Part C Advantage plans often include optional riders for oral care and sometimes cover the most expensive method to replace missing teeth: dental implants.
Even if your Advantage plan excludes coverage for implants, it might still approve claims for early treatment steps that are medically necessary or covered for other reasons. Examples include imaging studies, extractions, pain medications, and more.
Insurance That Covers Dental Implants 100% Immediately
You might find dental implants far more affordable if only you had an insurance plan covering the expensive procedure 100% instead of the typical 50% before exceeding the annual benefit maximum.
Surprisingly, one option exists! Your health insurance plan might cover dental implants when medically necessary, paying a far higher percentage of costs with no waiting periods for pre-existing conditions such as missing teeth.
Getting Dental Implants When You Can’t Afford the Price
Dental implants are the most expensive permanent tooth replacement option, with better patient outcomes than removable dentures.
However, many people think they cannot afford the pricier option and settle for new choppers that may not last as long. Discover three ways to upgrade your smile without breaking the bank: insurance, financing, and discounts.
How Much Does Insurance Pay Towards Dental Implants?
Many patients are surprised to learn how little their dental insurance pays for tooth implants. Many plans do not cover the procedure because lower-cost removable dentures address the problem of missing teeth.
Plus, those plans covering implants include cost-sharing features that limit benefits. For instance, waiting periods, annual maximums, and missing tooth exclusions shrink the benefits.
On the other hand, health insurance pays closer to 100% for medically necessary implants, but few qualify.
How to Get Around the Missing Tooth Clause in Dental Plans
People should begin shopping for dental insurance before their oral health declines. After all, the purpose of any coverage is to protect your finances against unforeseen future expenses.
Therefore, expect to find a missing tooth clause in any plan covering dental implants, including those without waiting periods or annual maximums.
However, buying coverage can help you qualify for grants.
Dental Implant Financing Feeds Low Monthly Payment Plans
Bite-sized morsels are more comfortable to swallow than trying to down an elephant all at once. Likewise, monthly payment plans fit a patient’s budget more readily.
However, do fool yourself into thinking that in-house financing for dental implants is the way to go. Your local provider will most likely refer you to a third-party finance company that might not offer the best terms.
How to Get Dental Implants Covered by Health Insurance
Paying for dental implants out-of-pocket can be so expensive that many people cannot afford to replace their teeth this way. A full-mouth restoration can cost $80,000 or more!
Your health insurance may cover a more significant share (with no annual maximum to limit benefits) if you can show medical necessity: tie your tooth loss to an accident or illness.
Dental Implants Costs with Insurance: Single-Tooth Full-Mouth
How can you afford your dental implants or dentures if you cannot estimate your out-of-pocket costs? Know what you are likely to spend before you undergo the procedure.
People with insurance find it difficult to estimate expenses because the coverage is not assured, and annual maximums have more impact with full-mouth restorations than single tooth replacements.
3 IRS Dental Implant Discount Plans: Tax Deductible Savings
Patients need every little bit of help when paying for pricey dental implants out-of-pocket – even when they have insurance. Fortunately, these expenses are tax-deductible per IRS rules.
Make the most of your IRS discounts by choosing the money-saving vehicle that matches the number of teeth you are replacing: Schedule A, Flexible Spending, or Health Savings Account.