Analysis Finds Medicare Recipients Often Skip Needed Dental Care

A new Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of Medicare will be helpful in informing policymakers as they develop a possible dental benefit for adult Medicare recipients. The report found that 47% of all Medicare beneficiaries had not visited the dentist within the past 12 months. Although dental benefits are being considered for adults, at present, the lack of coverage is a key reason why many enrollees do not visit the dentist regularly. Additionally, the data show those who have access to dental care through private insurance incur high out-of-pocket costs. According to the report, the average out-of-pocket spending among Medicare beneficiaries who accessed dental services was $874.

From Decisions in Dentistry. September 2021;7(9):6.