Financing and reimbursement of elders' oral health care: lessons from the present, opportunities for the future

Abstract

This article describes current financing and reimbursement for elders' oral health care and presents innovative options and opportunities for the future. Current health and dental care financing data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Agency for Health Care Research and Quality are reviewed. Existing and potential reimbursement options for the future are presented. Options for future financing and reimbursement include extending dental insurance into retirement, inclusion of oral health care into existing comprehensive health care plans, developing retiree plans for selected, well-defined (by the sponsor) groups of retirees, pre-paying dental care during employment, development of an Elders Health Insurance Program for the poor and near poor, and developing optional "Part D (for Dental)" plans within the Medicare program. Given the absence of universal oral health insurance, a mix of financing options and reimbursement schema will be required to cover the costs of oral health care and eliminate disparities in oral health access and outcomes for the growing elderly population.