Recipients of Medicare are set to benefit from the inclusion of dental procedures that are deemed essential for certain health conditions. The commencement of this enhanced dental benefit is January 1, 2023.
Outlined under the definitive rule are the following scenarios:
• Ridge reconstruction only when it occurs simultaneously with and is necessitated by the surgical excision of a tumor.
• Teeth stabilization or securing in the case of repairing a fracture within the jaw.
• Tooth removal intended to ready the jaw for radiotherapy targeted at cancerous conditions.
• Utilization of dental splints in cases where they are integral to the treatment of a medically necessary condition.
• Dental services — encompassing both assessments and therapeutic interventions — before undergoing operations such as heart valve replacement, valvuloplasty, or various organ transplants.
It should be noted that the latest rule does not broaden Medicare to include dental care for patients suffering from conditions like diabetes.
