Medicare to Include Dental Coverage

[such as]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Currently Medicare does not include dental coverage in plans A and B. however, they do offer an additional "Advantage" coverage for a higher premium than plan B.

I was wondering what the general consensus among dentists/dental students on SDN was about whether or not Medicare should include dental coverage under plans A/B. I am an undergrad and I am doing research on this and looking to further my knowledge about the pros/cons.

Thank you all. 😀

 

[Daurang]

To put it bluntly...NOOOO!

 

[such as]

To put it bluntly...NOOOO!

No Medicare dental plan? What are the cons. I have a good deal of research but I know I am missing a the cons. 😕

 

[pietrodds]

No Medicare dental plan? What are the cons. I have a good deal of research but I know I am missing a the cons. 😕

Research this: There's no gov't money to pay for anything right now. You watching the tip of the iceberg in terms of entitlement programs that are insolvent. When the majority of boomers go to retire in 5 years the **** will hit the fan. It's political suicide to add anything to the existing programs like Medicare. Almost all dentistry is elective care... you can live without your teeth. Quality of life may be dimished but that's how people lived for thousands of years until the last 30 years when people decided they wanted to keep their smile.

 

[Daurang]

Do some research on how satisfied doctors are with their Medicare payment.

I spent time this weekend with an accountant of a hospital in San Diego. She said the government pays ~25 cents on every $1 dollar they bill out. Her hospital has been losing money and she's forced to manipulate and then spend next week remanipulating more data so they don't look like they're losing too much money.

Honestly I will quit dentistry if I'm forced to do a bunch of full mouth dentures for $300.

 

[OceanDMD]

Last I checked the US congress's most recent attempt at health care reform involved cutting 400 BILLION dollars from the current expenditures apparently by policing the medicare claims more (as OBAMA would say) effectively and efficiently. Now, this is absolute Bullshat, but this is the current federal thought process, spend money, and claim you can pay for it with ridiculous illogical ideas. Medicare, medicaid, social security are all shot programs. Entitlement is not the answer. Entitlement breeds more entitlement and often passivity. Incentives are the answer.

 

[such as]

All valid points. Would it be more appropriate as a future dentist to focus my policy paper on the fact that dentists should have more realistic reimbursement for programs like medicaid that already provide dental coverage?

There has to be something that we can do. I know people can "live without their teeth." But, someone has to extract those rotten teeth. Someone has to treat that abscess. Obviously my knowledge is limited because I am inexperienced, but I would like to know what really needs to change here. T

Thank you so much for your comments. Please keep them coming. 😀

 

[such as]

Last I checked the US congress's most recent attempt at health care reform involved cutting 400 BILLION dollars from the current expenditures apparently by policing the medicare claims more (as OBAMA would say) effectively and efficiently. Now, this is absolute Bullshat, but this is the current federal thought process, spend money, and claim you can pay for it with ridiculous illogical ideas. Medicare, medicaid, social security are all shot programs. Entitlement is not the answer. Entitlement breeds more entitlement and often passivity. Incentives are the answer.

I agree incentives are the answer. Do you mean incentives like...more scholarships for public health dentists? Tuition reimbursement? More money for dentist working in rural areas? But where does this money come from? How can we make this work? That is where I am confused. Thank you for your input, I appreciate your response.

 

[mike3kgt]

There has to be something that we can do. ... Obviously my knowledge is limited because I am inexperienced, but I would like to know what really needs to change here. T

This is the problem. For the OP, I don't mean this personally against you or the project you wish to do, but this comment is exactly the sentiment that I have a serious problem with.

How and most importantly why do people automatically think that "things need to change" yet know very little about what they are trying to change? More specifically, politicians and the legislature... they know so little about dentistry as a profession and the people that work hard to make it happen, yet sit on their duffs and think that things need to change RIGHT NOW and be MUCH MUCH different than what they are now. I.E. Al Franken. He's in his first year but has been trying to be at the forefront of the progression of mid-level providers.

There are some serious problems that need to be addressed but throwing money at it, expanding government programs, and creating a whole new level of dental care delivery is just such an poorly orchestrated, shotgun approach to the access to care "problem." More importantly, we need to leave it to an educated group of professionals teaming with an educated legislature from both sides.

 

[such as]

This is the problem. For the OP, I don't mean this personally against you or the project you wish to do, but this comment is exactly the sentiment that I have a serious problem with.

How and most importantly why do people automatically think that "things need to change" yet know very little about what they are trying to change? More specifically, politicians and the legislature... they know so little about dentistry as a profession and the people that work hard to make it happen, yet sit on their duffs and think that things need to change RIGHT NOW and be MUCH MUCH different than what they are now. I.E. Al Franken. He's in his first year but has been trying to be at the forefront of the progression of mid-level providers.

There are some serious problems that need to be addressed but throwing money at it, expanding government programs, and creating a whole new level of dental care delivery is just such an poorly orchestrated, shotgun approach to the access to care "problem." More importantly, we need to leave it to an educated group of professionals teaming with an educated legislature from both sides.

This forum has allowed me to gain knowledge and there is nothing wrong with trying to learn.

My goal is to learn what current dentist feel needs to change and what current research indicates. I asked the forum if they thought Medicare should include dental coverage based on this article I read: http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=pmt&pag=dis&ItemID=

When I heard the general consensus, I began to think about other possible areas of improvement. This is the journey of learning. Through research and creating fake policies for assignments, I am able to at least gain an elementary understanding of a complex system. The more knowledge I obtain, the more I understand how little I know.

 

[reapply2007]

The best dental coverage any money can buy.

 

[jay47]

The best dental coverage any money can buy.

Amen amen amen!!

The biggest reason that the govt should stay away from spilling a lot of money into dentistry is because 95% of it is preventable and is CHEAP. You might spend $180 a year for a family of four to have toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss. (12 X $5 toothpaste + 4 X 4 X $5 Toothbrush + 10 X $4 floss= drumroll.........$180 dollars)

Used properly, with regular cleanings, there is a good chance that there will be very few needed procedures, and those that are, are cheaper (e.g. fillings, etc..)

The people that run into trouble are those that don't take care of their teeth and want the govt to pay for it.

People will never take care of their teeth because compliance and education are low no matter what you tell them.

Heart surgeons who tell their patients they better eat right, and exercise or they will DIE have low compliance. I don't know why dentists should expect better when the only consequences are "fillings".

 

[jay47]

This forum has allowed me to gain knowledge and there is nothing wrong with trying to learn.

My goal is to learn what current dentist feel needs to change and what current research indicates. I asked the forum if they thought Medicare should include dental coverage based on this article I read: http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=pmt&pag=dis&ItemID=

When I heard the general consensus, I began to think about other possible areas of improvement. This is the journey of learning. Through research and creating fake policies for assignments, I am able to at least gain an elementary understanding of a complex system. The more knowledge I obtain, the more I understand how little I know.

Your open mind and ability to ask good questions is highly commendable. I think the more you look into it, the more you will see that the dental attitude is for good reasons and the best interest of the government and the people.