Aspen Dental does not accept Medicare, but you have other ways to pay for dental care
Aspen Dental is a chain of dental clinics that does not participate in Medicare. This means Medicare will not pay Aspen Dental directly for your care, and Aspen Dental will not bill Medicare on your behalf. If you go to Aspen Dental, you will pay out of pocket or use a private dental plan you have purchased separately.
This is true across all Aspen Dental locations in the United States. The company does not contract with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or with Medicare Advantage plans. If you have a dental benefit through a Medicare Advantage plan, that plan may or may not cover Aspen Dental — you would need to check your plan's provider network directly.
Key Takeaways
- Aspen Dental does not accept Medicare, so you cannot use your Medicare benefits to pay for care there.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, check your plan's provider list to see whether Aspen Dental is included in your network.
- You can pay Aspen Dental out of pocket, use a private dental discount plan, or seek care at a federally may have access to health center (FQHC) that does accept Medicare.
- Aspen Dental does offer in-house payment plans and financing options that may help spread the cost of care over time.
- Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care at any provider, so most seniors pay for dental work themselves regardless of where they go.
Why Medicare does not cover most dental care
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover routine dental care, cleanings, fillings, or dentures for any patient at any provider. This is a gap in Medicare coverage that affects millions of seniors. The only dental services Medicare covers are those done in a hospital setting as part of treatment for another condition — for example, tooth extraction before heart surgery.
Because Original Medicare does not cover dental care at all, it does not matter whether a dentist accepts Medicare. You would pay the full cost yourself no matter where you go. This is why many seniors look for low-cost options or dental discount plans instead of trying to use their Medicare benefits.
Medicare Advantage plans and dental coverage
Some Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C plans) include dental coverage as an added benefit. These plans are sold by private insurance companies and may cover cleanings, exams, and some basic procedures. However, each plan has its own network of dentists, and Aspen Dental may or may not be in that network.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, you should check your plan documents or call the plan's customer service number to find out whether Aspen Dental participates. Your plan materials will list which dentists you can see without paying extra out of pocket. If Aspen Dental is not in your plan's network, you can still go there, but you will likely pay more than you would at an in-network dentist.
Some Medicare Advantage dental benefits have annual limits — for example, they may cover only $1,000 to $1,500 per year in dental work. Once you hit that limit, you pay the rest yourself. Ask your plan what the annual maximum is and what types of care are covered.
Payment options at Aspen Dental
Aspen Dental offers several ways to pay for care if you do not have dental insurance or if your insurance does not cover the full cost. The company offers in-house financing through CareCredit, a credit card designed for medical and dental expenses. You can also ask about payment plans that spread the cost over several months without interest, depending on the total amount owed.
Aspen Dental also participates in some private dental discount plans, such as Careington and Dental365. These are membership plans you purchase separately (not through Medicare) that give you discounts at participating dentists. The discount is typically 10 to 60 percent off the regular price, depending on the procedure and the plan. These plans are not insurance — they do not cover a percentage of the cost, but rather reduce the price you pay upfront.
Finding dental care that accepts Medicare
If you want to use a provider that accepts Medicare, you have limited options because Medicare does not cover routine dental care. However, some federally may have access to health centers (FQHCs) offer dental services and do accept Medicare. FQHCs are community health centers funded by the federal government, and they often provide dental care on a sliding fee scale based on your income.
To find an FQHC near you, visit the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website or call 211 (a free referral service). Tell them you are looking for dental care and ask which centers in your area offer it. FQHCs typically charge less than private dental offices, and they may offer payment plans if you cannot pay the full cost upfront.
Some dental schools also offer low-cost care performed by students under supervision. The work takes longer than at a regular dentist, but the cost is often 50 to 70 percent lower. Search online for "dental school near me" or contact your state's dental board for a list.
What to ask Aspen Dental before your appointment
If you decide to go to Aspen Dental, call ahead and ask these questions so there are no surprises about cost:
- What is the cost of the specific procedure you need (cleaning, filling, extraction, etc.)?
- Do you accept any private dental discount plans, and if so, which ones?
- What payment plans or financing options do you offer?
- Do you offer a discount for paying in cash upfront?
- If I need additional work, how will you let me know the cost before you proceed?
Getting this information before your first visit helps you budget and avoid unexpected bills. Aspen Dental is required by law to give you a written estimate of costs before starting most procedures, so ask for that in writing.
When to seek care elsewhere
If cost is your main concern, compare prices at multiple dentists before choosing Aspen Dental. Dental prices vary widely, and a cleaning or filling at one office may cost significantly more or less than at another. Call three or four dentists in your area and ask for a quote on the specific work you need.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, check whether Aspen Dental is in your network first. If it is not, you may pay less by going to an in-network dentist. If you may have access to for Medicaid (which does cover dental care in some states), check whether Aspen Dental accepts Medicaid in your state — coverage varies by state and by individual program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Medicare benefits at Aspen Dental?
No. Aspen Dental does not accept Medicare, and Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care anyway. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with dental coverage, check your plan's provider list to see if Aspen Dental is included in your network.
Does Aspen Dental accept Medicaid?
Some Aspen Dental locations accept Medicaid, but this varies by state and location. Call your local Aspen Dental office directly to ask, or check your state's Medicaid program website for a list of participating dentists.
What if I cannot afford Aspen Dental's prices?
Ask about in-house payment plans and CareCredit financing. You can also look for federally may have access to health centers (FQHCs) in your area, which offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Dental schools offer low-cost care performed by students under supervision. Call 211 to find these options near you.
Will Aspen Dental bill my insurance?
Aspen Dental will bill private dental insurance and some Medicare Advantage plans if they are in the company's network. Call Aspen Dental with your insurance information, and they can tell you whether they participate and what your out-of-pocket cost will be.
How do I know what Aspen Dental will charge before I go?
Call ahead and ask for a quote on your specific procedure. By law, Aspen Dental must give you a written estimate before starting most work. Ask for that estimate in writing so you have it in hand before your appointment.