Picture someone old and you will likely see eye glasses, a hearing aid and maybe
even dentures. Deterioration of your teeth, eyes and ears is a common plight for
those in retirement.
However, basic Medicare does not cover vision, hearing or dental expenses. Some
Medigap and Medicare Advantage programs – Medicare supplemental insurance options
– provide coverage, but not all.
When planning for your retirement, it is important to include provisions for
covering these costs.
Dental
Recent surveys show that fifty percent or people age 55 and older wear partial
or complete dentures.
And, dental health can make it easier to maintain a healthy diet – which impacts
your overall health and well-being.
NOTE: AARP offers a dental insurance program for seniors.
Vision
Prescription lenses are almost universal among older persons – 92 percent of
persons 70 years of age and older wear glasses.
Hearing
In 1995, one-third of all non-institutionalized elderly persons 70 years of age
and older were hearing impaired. And, this number increased to almost half of
all 85 year olds and older.
Very few, if any, health insurance plans offer coverage for hearing aids.
