Best dental options?

March 3, 2019 3:05 PM

I'm on Medicare (for disability; not as a senior) and have no other insurance, including Medicaid. Someone has very kindly offered to help pay for me to see a dentist. I've been looking over different dental plans/providers but my head is spinning. I at least will need an exam, a cleaning, and fillings. I live in Blacksburg, VA. I've already called around re a sliding scale, and am on health center waitlist. What plan is best for me?
posted by mermaidcafe to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

I'm not sure what the best plan is, but Medicare Rights offers a National Helpline at 1-800-333-4114 to answer questions from people with Medicare, their family members and friends. (via ThereIsHelp, which also lists additional resources related to health insurance and health care)
posted by Little Dawn at 4:26 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program) has counselors that focus on Medicare and can help you choose a plan.
posted by victoriab at 4:35 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

If you can get to Richmond, VCU Dental School has a clinic where you can get low-cost care from students/residents who are heavily supervised by faculty.
posted by mccxxiii at 6:23 PM on March 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

I'm not clear why you would need a plan -- definitely not required to see a dentist. Since there's no dental insurance under Medicare, you'd have to buy privately, which is not a great deal. You'd be better off setting aside the money you'd spend monthly. Instead, it sounds like you're doing the right thing asking for a sliding scale; you might also have luck asking for the insurance rate if you pay cash in hand.

Good luck, teeth are the worst!
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:39 AM on March 4, 2019

It's probably cheaper to self pay than buy dental insurance. If you able to pay to get part B under Medicare. You might be able to a plan that includes dental included that way. Indiana doesn't allow it but some states do.

I did a search for free dental clinic for your area which brought up these links.

Blacksburg, Virginia
Free Dental Care Clinics (Also Low Cost And Sliding Scale)

Blacksburg, VA Free Dental (Also Affordable, Sliding Scale Dental, etc) There's none listed but there are links for nearby towns.
posted by stray thoughts at 7:00 PM on March 4, 2019