Resources 4

Dental, Vision & Hearing — Specialty Insurance — Medicaid, Disability & Extra Help

Dental, Vision & Hearing

Some insurance plans may include DVH (Dental, Vision & Hearing) and many Medicare Advantage Insurance Plans, from private insurance companies, include some DVH benefits, but perhaps you need more coverage, or perhaps you have no DVH benefits at all, then there are some options such as dental insurance plans or discount programs.

Often people complain that their DVH costs were not covered by their insurance plan, but on further understanding, it generally turns out that the person did not adhere to the insurance plans’ requirements. One of the top issues is not going to a doctor or service provider that is in the insurance company’s network of approved providers. Always check that your doctor or provider service is approved by your insurance company.

Dental

Dental Insurance can generally be applied for separate from most other insurance policies. Dental insurance plans may include exclusions, waiting periods, co-pays, and a maximum benefit amount, but this is common, you just need to read the policy you are considering to see that it meets your needs.

DentalPlans.com

Interestingly, people can now get partial dentures or a single tooth replaced with custom 3D fabricated tooth replacement devices for around $700 per arch.

ResetSmile.com

Dental Discount Plans (which are not insurance) are just what the name implies, discount programs. You need to read the terms and conditions, but as a general rule these programs require a monthly fee and in exchange they connect people with dentists who will give a discount on dental services. Many do not require any long-term commitment, and allow customers to quit the program with a required notice of termination. It is important to check the company’s dentist provider database before signing up and check with the dentist to verify that they are still in the dental discount program, as there can be errors in the program’s database.

Some examples:

AlphaDentalPlan
Ameriplan
CarefreeDental
Careington
FreshBenies
DentaCard
Dentgra
TXDentalPlan

Note: Discount Programs are not insurance. FTC Consumer Information.

Dental Tips

Fact vs Fiction: Is Honey Bad for Your Teeth?

Vision

There are loads of options for getting eyewear online, and locally and many local eye doctors for exams. Some insurance plans offer eye care benefits for basic exams and eyeglasses, and some plans even cover some eye surgeries. Check with your plan to see what is available.

The cost of eyewear varies greatly, especially if you are needing the glasses right away, but ask, some companies will charge a small fee, like $25 for fast service. There are a number of 2 for specials, at such stores as, JC Penney, MyEyeLab, America’s Best and more. But remember to always verify that your insurance company approves the doctor or eyewear store and that they in turn accept insurance.

Hearing

It is hard to know why, but people seem most hesitant to investigate about getting hearing aids. People seem to put it off, perhaps it is because it doesn’t hurt, like dental, and it’s not required so much as corrective eyeglasses. But in fact it is probably the easiest to check out.

There are hearing exam locations all around, even in stores like Sam’s and Costco, and if you have a higher level of membership at those type stores, the hearing aid prices may be better. Just Ask.

There are even online sources to do some initial hearing tests, but most of those websites require information in order to get your results, like name and email address. Belton, Miracle Ear and such, just do a search for online hearing tests.

Many Medicare Advantage Insurance Plans offer assistance with hearing aid purchases, ask your plan and verify that the hearing aid providers accept your insurance plan.

Specialty Insurance

There are insurance plans for just about everything, so other insurance to consider are such plans as hospital indemnity plans, cancer and accident plans, credit life plans, long-term care plans and burial plans, and don’t forget your pets with pet insurance or discount plans.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment – Pays if death is accidental by the terms of the policy.

Burial Insurance – To pay for funeral expenses.

Burial Plans or Pre-Pay Plans– Often available from local Funeral Homes. (Not insurance.)

Business – To protect the survivor(s) of a business partnership, also other people or assets that need protection from loss.

Critical Illness Insurance – Helps with the costs of a covered major illness such as Cancer, Stroke, and Heart Attack. The benefits can also be used for needs such as transportation and lodging for you or your family.

Disability Insurance – Available from government programs and private insurance companies. Helps with lost income due to a covered disability.

Hospital Indemnity Insurance – Is supplemental insurance that pays benefits for a covered hospitalization event. The benefit money can be used for a variety of needs beyond just medical.

Mortgage Life – Helps pay off a home mortgage.

Credit Life – Helps pay off a specified debt, such as a car loan.

Note: Credit Insurance is specific to the named credit loan and event, to help pay-off that debit.

Final Expense – Whole Life in small amounts to cover burial expenses.

Joint Life – One insurance policy that covers two people.

Long-Term Care – Managed care. This is not always a senior issue, it can also arise with younger people who suffer a debilitating accident or illness. It can also be for a short time or an extended time.

Pet Insurance – As well insurance plans, there are also non-insurance, Pet Discount Programs, some of the DVH discount programs in the above section include the option to include a Pet Discount program.

Travel Insurance – Limited to a travel event or events. Can be very useful when traveling to foreign countries.

What is Long Term Care? at MedicareResources.org

What is Long Term Care? at ACOA

The Best Time to Get Long-Term Care Insurance at Investopedia.

Medicaid, Disability & Extra Help

Government assistance programs such as Medicaid or LIS (Low Income Subsidy often called Extra Help) are generally going to focus on two financial areas, income, and assets, along with a qualifying event, such as seniors over 65, disability, blind, pregnant, or being responsible for a minor child. In relation to the medical aspect of this website, these programs can help with medical costs (Medicaid) and prescription drug costs (LIS).

The ASPE (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation) publishes the HHS POVERTY GUIDELINES which is generally used by government agencies as a guideline to determine eligibility for various help programs.

For 2023 the ASPE chart states the poverty level for one person is $14,580 and for 2 people $19,720 for 3 people $24,860 and continues on to 8 people with additional amounts shown for more people. (See Chart)

Also, there are usually asset limits that can be as low as a couple of thousand dollars, but often these limits will exclude such necessary holdings as a home (under a certain value), a car, and some other considerations.

So should you check out these help programs for yourself or someone you know might need help? Certainly, review some of the links provided to find more information and how to contact these programs.

Medicaid is generally a state controlled program with federal assistance, so be sure to check with your state, as programs can vary. Medicaid is often referred to as a Medical Savings Programs (not like a saving account, but rather help reduce costs).

For local help with Medicare, Medicaid and such needs as food, also visit the Fort Worth page on this website.

211Texas.org – Help and resources for a many needs and services.

AARP – Your Guide to Public Benefits.

Benefits.gov – Texas Medicaid.

Eldercare – Administration on Aging
A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families.

HHS.gov – Dept. of Health & Human Services
Also see ASPE/FPL – Federal Poverty Level.

HHS Texas.gov – Medicaid & CHIP.

LIS – Low-income Subsidy – Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Costs. (ssa.gov)
Also see: Low-income Subsidy for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage. (cms.gov)

Medicaid – Eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

Medicare.gov – Official government website for Medicare.
Also see: Medical Savings Programs & Medicaid.
Also see: Find Healthcare Providers, such as Nursing Homes, Home Health Services, Long-Term Care Facilities, Hospitals, and more.

Medicare Interactive.gov – Glossary of programs that help pay Medicare costs for people with limited incomes.

National Council On Aging – Benefits for Older Adults.
Also see: Benefits Checkup.

Need Help Paying Bills.com – Resource website.
Also see page: Senior Assistance Programs

NHPCO – National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Enhances and expands access to care that addresses holistic health and the well-being of communities.

SSA.gov – Social Security – Official website for the Social Security Administration.

SHIP – State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Helps people navigate the complexities of Medicare.