As we age, our health care needs evolve — which means dental and vision insurance can be beneficial for those who reach retirement. If you’re on the fence about securing an insurance policy that offers this coverage or purchasing a supplemental plan, consider these seven benefits of investing in dental and vision insurance.
7 Reasons for Retirees to Get Dental and Vision Insurance
1. Ways to Reduce the Cost of Expensive Dental and Vision Procedures
Health insurance is designed to offset the cost of expensive procedures. Unfortunately, some policies exclude certain types of care, such as dental and vision procedures. If you have an emergency or need an operation related to these areas and don’t have insurance, you’ll be responsible for a far greater cost to receive the care you need.
2. Enjoy Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Your dental and vision health may be solid now, but things can change as you age. Many people get dental and vision insurance as a Medicare supplement when they retire so they can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive coverage. This way, you can rest assured that if you ever require health care related to dental and vision in the future, you’ll have the insurance you need.
3. Coverage for Increasing Health Care Needs
Image via Flickr by Dr. Alper, DMD, Cosmetic Dentist
As you age, your requirements for health care will increase. This is especially true when it comes to your dental and vision needs. A few unique considerations for individuals in retirement include:
- More frequent oral exams,
- Dry mouth,
- Sensitive teeth,
- Dental implants,
- Bridges,
- Dentures,
- Oral cancers,
- More frequent eye exams,
- Presbyopia,
- Cataracts,
- Floaters,
- Dry eyes.
If your healthcare needs expand to include one or more of these areas, dental and vision insurance can help you cover the cost.
4. Stay on Top of Preventative Care
Preventative care is a big part of staying in good health. Having dental and vision insurance means you can stay on top of regular treatments, which can help you identify ways to improve your health and avoid ever developing more serious problems.
5. Identify Issues That May Be Signs of More Serious Problems
Attending checkups regularly can also help your doctor identify issues that may be signs of serious problems. For instance, a dentist may notice symptoms such as dry mouth, which can be a side effect of taking certain medication or, when presenting with other symptoms, be a warning sign of diabetes. Also, if you develop new complications as you age, it may trigger conditions that affect your vision and oral health.
People who have diabetes, for example, are more prone to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease. So, if you develop this problem at any point in your life, you’ll have a need for dental insurance.
6. Enjoy the Other Benefits Associated With Supplemental Care
Purchasing a dental and vision supplement as an addition to your insurance extends numerous benefits to receiving care in these areas. For example, if you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can enjoy these benefits with a supplemental plan:
- Help to afford costs that Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover.
- The flexibility to see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
- The ability to see a doctor outside of your network.
- The ability to see a doctor without a referral.
- Help to afford costs from doctors who charge more than the Medicare-approved costs for care.
Once you’re enrolled in Medicare and have a supplemental plan, you can purchase separate dental and vision insurance to enjoy comprehensive care along with access to the above benefits.
7. Minimize Health Care Costs
Purchasing dental and vision insurance can be a good way to minimize health care costs. This may seem counterintuitive, but for many people, it’s more affordable to secure a straightforward insurance policy and then use supplemental plans to get all the coverage they need. Securing insurance now can also be a good way to lower costs. If you develop a complication like diabetes and need dental or vision insurance after the fact, your premiums will probably be higher.
Choosing to purchase dental and vision insurance is a big decision, but it’s one that can save you lots of money as you age and keep you healthy in retirement. Keep these seven points in mind to help you decide how you want to move forward with your health care.
