Does Medicare Cover Dental, Vision, and Hearing?
By Tyler Dalton, PharmD, Licensed Medicare Agent Published
Updated for 2026. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. This is one of the biggest gaps in Medicare coverage and catches many new beneficiaries by surprise. Here’s what’s covered, what’s not, and how to get the coverage you need.
The Dental, Vision, and Hearing Gap in Original Medicare
When Congress created Medicare in 1965, dental, vision, and hearing were explicitly excluded from coverage. Despite decades of advocacy to add these benefits, Original Medicare still does not cover routine care in these areas as of 2026. This affects approximately 65 million Medicare beneficiaries who must find alternative ways to cover these essential health services.
This gap matters because dental, vision, and hearing problems are extremely common among seniors:
- 70% of adults over 65 have some form of periodontal (gum) disease
- 1 in 3 people over 65 have vision-reducing eye diseases
- Nearly 50% of adults over 75 have disabling hearing loss
- Poor oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and pneumonia
- Untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and dementia
What Original Medicare Actually Covers
While Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental, vision, and hearing, there are limited exceptions for medically necessary procedures.
Dental: Very Limited Medicare Coverage
| Service | Covered by Medicare? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Routine cleanings | No | Not covered under any circumstance |
| Fillings, root canals, crowns | No | Not covered |
| Dentures | No | Not covered (even if teeth removed for medical reasons) |
| Dental exam before heart valve surgery | Yes | Part A covers when integral to covered procedure |
| Jaw reconstruction after accident | Yes | Part A covers as inpatient hospital procedure |
| Tooth extraction before radiation treatment | Yes | Part A may cover when medically necessary |
The bottom line for dental: Unless a dental procedure is directly related to a covered medical treatment or inpatient hospital stay, Medicare will not pay for it. A simple tooth extraction or filling? Not covered. A root canal? Not covered. Dentures? Not covered, even if all your teeth need to be removed due to a medical condition.
Vision: Mostly Not Covered
| Service | Covered by Medicare? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Routine eye exams | No | Annual vision screenings not covered |
| Eyeglasses/contacts | No | Not covered (one exception below) |
| Cataract surgery | Yes | Part B covers surgery + one pair of glasses or contacts after |
| Glaucoma screening | Yes | Part B covers annually for high-risk individuals |
| Diabetic eye exam | Yes | Part B covers annual dilated eye exam if you have diabetes |
| Macular degeneration treatment | Yes | Part B covers diagnostic tests and treatment |
The bottom line for vision: Medicare covers treatment for eye diseases and conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration), but NOT routine vision care. If you just need a new glasses prescription or want contact lenses, Medicare won’t help.
Hearing: Extremely Limited Coverage
| Service | Covered by Medicare? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Routine hearing exams | No | Annual hearing tests not covered |
| Hearing aids | No | Not covered (average cost $2,000-$7,000 per pair) |
| Hearing aid fittings | No | Not covered |
| Diagnostic hearing exam | Yes | Part B covers when ordered by a doctor to diagnose a condition |
| Cochlear implants | Yes | Part B covers for severe hearing loss when medically necessary |
| Bone-anchored hearing devices | Yes | Part B may cover as prosthetic device |
The bottom line for hearing: Medicare will pay for a doctor to diagnose your hearing loss, but it won’t pay for hearing aids to treat it. With hearing aids averaging $2,000-$7,000 per pair and lasting 3-7 years, this is a significant out-of-pocket expense for many seniors.
How to Get Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage
You have several options to fill these coverage gaps:
Option 1: Medicare Advantage Plans
This is the most popular option. Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits as part of their package, often with $0 additional premium. Coverage varies widely by plan:
- Basic dental: Cleanings, x-rays, fillings (most MA plans include this)
- Comprehensive dental: Crowns, root canals, dentures, implants (fewer plans, may have separate premium)
- Vision: Annual eye exams, $100-$300 eyewear allowance per year
- Hearing: Annual hearing exams, $500-$3,000 hearing aid allowance every 1-3 years
Pros: Convenient bundled coverage, often $0 premium, no separate applications. Cons: Network restrictions, benefits may be limited, you give up Original Medicare flexibility.
Option 2: Standalone Dental, Vision, and Hearing Plans
If you prefer Original Medicare + Medigap, you can buy separate dental, vision, and hearing insurance from private companies. Common options:
- Dental insurance: $20-$50/month, covers preventive at 100%, major at 50%. Annual maximum typically $1,000-$2,000.
- Vision insurance: $10-$25/month, covers annual exam and eyewear allowance
- Hearing plans: Less common as standalone; some dental/vision plans bundle hearing benefits
- Bundled DVH plans: $30-$75/month for all three, available from companies like AARP/United Healthcare, Humana, Delta Dental
Pros: Keep Original Medicare + Medigap, choose any provider. Cons: Additional monthly cost, annual maximums may not cover major procedures.
Option 3: Discount Dental Plans
These aren’t insurance, they’re membership programs that give you 15-60% discounts at participating dentists. Costs are typically $80-$200/year.
Pros: No waiting periods, no annual maximums, immediate savings. Cons: Must use participating dentists, you still pay out of pocket (just at a discount).
Option 4: Community Health Centers and Dental Schools
For budget-conscious seniors:
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Offer sliding-scale dental services based on income
- Dental schools: UAB School of Dentistry in Birmingham offers reduced-cost dental care supervised by licensed faculty
- State programs: Alabama Medicaid covers some dental for dual-eligible individuals
- Charitable organizations: Remote Area Medical (RAM) and Dental Lifeline Network provide free dental care at events
Cost Comparison: What Dental, Vision, and Hearing Services Actually Cost
Without coverage, here’s what you can expect to pay out of pocket in Alabama:
| Service | Average Cost Without Insurance |
|---|---|
| Dental cleaning | $100-$200 per visit |
| Dental filling | $150-$400 per tooth |
| Root canal | $700-$1,500 per tooth |
| Dental crown | $800-$1,500 per tooth |
| Full dentures | $1,500-$5,000 per set |
| Dental implant | $3,000-$6,000 per tooth |
| Eye exam | $75-$200 |
| Prescription glasses | $200-$600 per pair |
| Hearing test | $75-$250 |
| Hearing aids (pair) | $2,000-$7,000 |
Will Congress Add Dental, Vision, and Hearing to Medicare?
There has been significant bipartisan support for adding these benefits to Medicare. The Build Back Better Act in 2021 included dental, vision, and hearing provisions, but they were ultimately removed. As of 2026:
- Multiple bills have been introduced to add dental, vision, and hearing to Medicare Part B
- AARP and other advocacy groups continue to push for expansion
- Cost concerns ($350+ billion over 10 years) remain the primary obstacle
- Some progress has been made: Medicare now covers more hearing-related services than in previous years
Our Recommendation
For most Alabama Medicare beneficiaries, we recommend one of these approaches:
- If you value provider freedom: Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G + standalone Part D + standalone dental/vision plan. Total cost: approximately $350-$450/month but maximum protection and provider access.
- If you want convenience and savings: Medicare Advantage plan with built-in dental, vision, and hearing. Total cost: $202.90/month (Part B only) but with network restrictions and copays.
- If you have limited income: Check if you qualify for Medicaid (which covers dental, vision, and hearing) or Medicare Savings Programs to reduce your overall Medicare costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have a Medicare Advantage plan, is dental coverage guaranteed?
No. While most MA plans include some dental benefits, coverage varies significantly. Some only cover preventive care (cleanings, x-rays), while others include comprehensive dental with crowns, root canals, and dentures. Always check the plan’s Summary of Benefits before enrolling.
Can I buy a Medigap plan AND dental insurance?
Absolutely. Medigap plans supplement Original Medicare but don’t cover dental, vision, or hearing. You can buy standalone dental, vision, and hearing insurance separately. Many of our clients have Medigap Plan G plus a standalone dental plan.
Do dental plans have waiting periods?
Many dental insurance plans have waiting periods of 6-12 months for major services like crowns, root canals, and dentures. Preventive services (cleanings, x-rays) are usually covered immediately. Discount dental plans have no waiting periods.
Book a free Medicare consultation
Talk through your options with Tyler Dalton, PharmD, Licensed Medicare Agent. Consultations are free, and you keep the final say on every decision.