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Tooth extractions are a common dental procedure. Simple tooth extractions only cost a few hundred dollars. But some surgical tooth extractions may cost more than that, even going as high as thousands of dollars or more.
So a common question many people have is, “does Medicare cover tooth extractions?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of tooth extractions and other helpful info.
Does Medicare Cover Tooth Extractions?
The short answer is no. In most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of tooth extractions. That said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your tooth extractions.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) does not provide coverage for tooth extractions. That is because most of the time, Original Medicare does not provide coverage for routine dental services.
However, in some cases, Original Medicare may provide coverage for some dental services which can include tooth extraction. In order for Original Medicare to provide coverage for your tooth extractions, it must be medically necessary to treat a medical condition.
Original Medicare may provide coverage for any dental services that you require if it is a part of a treatment for your overall health. Here are some situations where Original Medicare may provide coverage for your dental care:
- An oral examination in a hospital just before you undergo kidney transplant
- An oral examination in a rural clinic or Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) just before you undergo heart valve replacement
- Any dental services that are medically necessary for your radiation treatment for certain jaw-related diseases
- Ridge reconstruction after a facial tumor is removed
- Surgery to treat fractures of the jaw or face
- Dental splints and wiring after jaw surgery
Medicare Part A may provide coverage for certain dental services if you require emergency dental care while you are admitted as an inpatient in a hospital.
Part C Coverage for Tooth Extractions
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) provide coverage for tooth extractions. Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers as well as some additional benefits. However, coverage and out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on the specifics of your plan.
Many Medicare Part C plans provide coverage for dental care. If your Medicare Part C plan has dental care coverage, you will need to visit a dentist that is within the plan’s network for your Medicare Part C plan to provide coverage for your tooth extraction or other dental services.
How Much Do Tooth Extractions Cost?
Simple tooth extraction may cost from $150 to $300 per tooth. On the other hand, surgical tooth extractions are much more expensive, ranging from $225 to $2,300.
Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.
Additional Info on Medicare Coverage
This article is part of our series on “What does Medicare cover?”
Also, you can check out other articles in this series including: Does Medicare cover physical therapy?
