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Original Medicare generally leaves out routine dental. Here is the difference between preventive and comprehensive dental in Medicare Advantage, and how BlueCross's 2027 Beaufort plans compare.
Two plans can both say "dental" and cover very different things. Before you switch plans for 2027, here is how to tell them apart.
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care like cleanings, fillings, or dentures. That is why many people choose a Medicare Advantage plan that adds a dental benefit.
Preventive dental typically covers the basics: routine exams, cleanings, and x-rays. It helps you catch problems early, but it usually does not pay for repairs once something goes wrong.
Comprehensive dental adds coverage for work like fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, or dentures. Plans often set a yearly maximum on what they will pay, and they may charge a copay or coinsurance. The exact list of covered services differs by plan.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's plan page shows its Total and Blue Basic plans with preventive and comprehensive dental, and Total Value with preventive dental only. For Beaufort County, BlueCross lists Total Value and Blue Basic. BlueCross Total, the plan with comprehensive dental, is leaving Beaufort County for 2027.
Read the Summary of Benefits for each plan. Look at what is covered, the yearly maximum, the copays, and whether your dentist is in the network. A $0 premium plan can cost more out of pocket if you need major dental work.
Skyler Abilla is a licensed Medicare agent in Bluffton. Call (843) 284-6815 or book a free call and we will compare dental benefits side by side.
Source: BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Medicare Advantage plan page, 2027 plans (last updated October 1, 2026).
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