After a career in Houston’s Energy Corridor, retirement comes with a long list of decisions. As you start planning your next chapter, dental coverage can be easy to overlook. However, with the right plan, you can ensure consistent, quality care and a radiant smile throughout your golden years.
When you retire, employer-sponsored dental coverage usually ends. Unfortunately, original Medicare doesn’t cover most routine dental care like cleanings and fillings, so you’ll need to seek out an alternative, like a retiree plan or an in-house dental savings plan.
What Happens to Employer Dental Coverage
Employer plans typically end when your employment does, though some offer continuation coverage (COBRA) for a limited time, often at the full premium. Because plans differ, ask your benefits team what applies to you, and use any remaining benefits, including an unused annual maximum, before your coverage ends.
Your Options After Retirement
Retirees generally have a few paths for dental coverage. The right one depends on how much dental care you expect to need. The most common options include:
- A standalone dental insurance plan, which may include waiting periods and annual maximums
- A Medicare Advantage plan, some of which include limited dental benefits
- An in-house dental savings plan offered directly by a dental office
How Total Wellness Dental Can Help
Total Wellness Dental is not in-network with any insurance, because we want to provide the care our patients need as they need it, free of an insurance provider’s rules and limitations. However, you can still use PPO benefits with us while you have them. We also offer financing via CareCredit® and Cherry®, to allow you to spread out payments for larger treatments.
For patients who are uninsured or retired, the practice offers an in-house membership plan at $480 per year, which includes two exams and cleanings, necessary x-rays, and 10% off other treatments, with no yearly maximum, deductible, or waiting period.
Accessible Dental Care for Retirees in Houston, TX
If you’re in Houston and want to learn more about finding the right dental coverage for retirement, contact Dr. Hieu Do and the friendly and helpful Total Wellness Dental team to schedule a consultation to discuss your options.