No matter the age, taking care of your teeth is important. Brushing and flossing daily as well as seeing your dentist regularly will keep your smile looking white and bright. Even then, the occasional cavity, accident, or another issue can occur. Early detection is key in preventing dental problems from spreading throughout the mouth.

As we age, it becomes harder and harder to know when there is a problem. The older we get, the smaller the nerves in our teeth become. This leaves them less sensitive to cavities and other issues. If left unaddressed, those problems can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even heart conditions.

That’s why regular dental services are so important. While employer-based health plans may include dental care, Original Medicare (a combination of Parts A and B) doesn’t. Some dental products or services may be covered as part of a larger issue, but regular visits, orthodonture, and other dental-centric care may not be.

Dental Coverage

Medicare Supplemental Dental Insurance

Although Original Medicare doesn’t include dental provisions, dental insurance plans can be offered through Medicare Advantage (Part C). Medicare Advantage plans include all of the coverage of Original Medicare and often include dental, vision, and hearing care.

In many cases, there is a monthly premium for the Advantage plan, although the amount is determined by several factors. Copays, deductibles, and covering some of the Plan B costs may be part of the Medicare Advantage health benefit plan. The key is to find the right plan for where you live.

There are also stand-alone dental plans available.

Dental Solutions

When we’re toddlers, losing teeth is seen as a rite of passage. Once teeth are lost at retirement age, that’s it – no more teeth. There are several steps we can take to hold on to our teeth as long as possible. We’ve already mentioned brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.

Other day-to-day practices that will help you keep those pearly whites in place include staying away from foods that are high in sugar, avoiding food that is sticky, and avoiding drinks like coffee or wine that can stain teeth. Stopping smoking and chewing tobacco will go a long way to preserving dental and overall health, too.

If you already have dental work, such as dentures or implants, it’s important to stay on top of a cleaning routine. Dentures should be removed for at least four hours a day and placed in an appropriate cleaning solution. Implants should be kept clean, too, to protect the other natural teeth.

Many of us are resigned to the belief that everyone loses their teeth at some point. Nothing could be further from the truth! Even if arthritis or other issues prevent you from brushing properly, there are steps that can be taken to make daily upkeep possible. Talk to a dental health care professional for more information.

Work with a Medicare Insurance Expert

You most likely have been paying into Medicare since the first day you started working. As you grow closer to retirement age, it’s time to start thinking about enrollment dates, what coverage you need, and how much you’re able to pay. Does your current healthcare professional accept Medicare and what are the “best” plans available in your area?

That is a lot of information to figure out on your own, but VibrantUSA is here to help. Since 2003, we have been helping people just like you navigate the complicated Medicare map. While changes to plans, doctor availability, and legislation alter the landscape on a seemingly annual basis, our dedication to our clients never wavers.

Our licensed insurance specialists work with a regional network of doctors to gain a better understanding of who is available. We’ve built this list over several years and they appreciate the fact that we understand what they offer before sending out clients to them. It saves time and allows them to concentrate on the most important aspect: you.

But it goes beyond sending our clients to the appropriate doctors. Medicare is a puzzle of insurance companies and plans that are based on where you live. Plans are accepted on a county by county basis. What might work in a neighboring county, may not work for you.

We take the time to understand what you need, what you want, and what you can afford. Does the best plan for you require a 30-minute drive? Are you willing/able to do that? Or do we need to discuss care opportunities closer to home? This is some of the information we’ll use to get the best possible plan.

Advantages of Independent Insurance Agents

There are many Medicare plans to choose from. As an independent insurance agency, we aren’t tied down to a handful of plans from one or two insurance companies. We choose from more than 50 plans from more than 30 regional and national carriers. This gives us the flexibility to truly find what’s best for you.

If you have Medicare or dental coverage questions, we have the answers. Whether it’s enrollment periods, changes in state or federal laws, in-network providers – we have the information you need to make informed decisions on your health care. Want more information? We’re here for you.

  • VibrantUSA is always helpful in answering many of my questions and put me at ease with any and all what ifs and whys I may ask of them.

    Clysta Hawks Client Since: 11/16/07

  • On top of the stress of relocating across the country at age 85, I had additional stress over the changing of insurances after so many years with my former insurance companies. At this age, changes do not come easily! VibrantUSA put me completely at ease and alleviated the stress… They really do care about their clients.

    Christine R. Hall Client Since: 12/2/08

  • We met with a Vibrant agent to discuss several issues and I want to commend her personal service, professionalism and expertise. My wife, Karen, and I thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and will be following up with her early next year as we set our health care insurance coverage during early retirement and then with appropriate Medicare coverage when the time comes.

    David Hannah Client Since: 6/30/11

  • VibrantUSA has assembled a professional staff that listens carefully to each patient and then takes the time needed to be sure all questions are answered. This enables them to recommend coverage choices that really meet our patients’ needs. I trust them to do the right thing.

    David A. Lynch M.D.ABFM, Family Care Network

  • We are very pleased with the business relationship we share with VibrantUSA. We have found Vibrant to be knowledgeable and helpful in navigating through the plethora of information regarding Medicare insurance related issues for our prospective new residents. On numerous occasions Vibrant has worked with our new resident (and their family members if necessary) to obtain proper insurance and physicians to meet their individual needs. We have also used Vibrant to help our own family members that live locally with their Medicare needs. We have been greatly satisfied with this service too.

    Theresa Taylor Executive Director, Emeritus at Fairhaven

  • I suddenly found myself without health insurance and in a panic… In one 20-minute phone call my fears were totally taken away by VibrantUSA. They talked to Medicare and Social Security and now I am completely covered with Medicare and prescription drug coverage. I would stand on top of the Space Needle and tell everyone about VibrantUSA.

    Janeen Peterson Client Since 6/10/09

  • For over a year, I tried to get a refund for a premium that was charged by a previous health provider in error. The provider ignored me. Then I went to VibrantUSA. With their guidance and assistance with phone calls and letters, I had my full refund within two weeks! Thank you VibrantUSA agents for the time and attention you spent on this matter.

    Janet Kean Client Since: 12/1/10

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    Bruce & Judy Haley Clients Since: 12/20/07

  • The world of insurance is not easy to step into when you retire. You, at VibrantUSA, helped that first step be just a little easier, and when things don’t go smoothly with the insurance company, you work it out and make it work. Thank you.

    Chad & Marcia Pepperworth Clients Since: 1/1/2008

  • I moved my father from Montana to Spokane this past summer. It was in a crisis type of situation and quite stressful for me and my father. He had no drug coverage when he came and it was a huge hassle trying to figure out what to do! Once I got referred to VibrantUSA, however, it magically got easy! Not only did the representative help me find a perfect low-cost Advantage plan for my father, we were able to sign him up two months before open enrollment due to my father’s diabetes. The other insurance agents I had talked to didn’t even know we could do the early enrollment. This saved my father about $700.00! Three months later, my father was wrongly disenrolled from his Advantage plan, and, as you can imagine, I got dead ended on a lot of calls trying to resolve it. Once again, I called VibrantUSA and the representative that helped me was a cross between a Medicare genius and a pit bull. She knew exactly what to do and assisted us every step of the way until it was all resolved. I can’t say enough how amazing she was. She solved another big hassle worth hundreds of dollars and saved me from hours of calls and stress.

    Christie Pierce Client Since: 10/1/2010