Is it true that Medicare pays for dental implants?

Question

Helena Foutz, RSSA · Accepted Answer

Who told you that?  It does not!  A few Medicare Advantage plans MAY have dental coverage that includes implants, but Original Medicare itself does not.

Brian Moore · Answer

Original Medicare—Parts A and B—does not cover dental implants or routine dental care like cleanings or fillings, limiting its scope to hospital and medical services, which leaves those costs entirely on you unless you have other coverage. This limitation is a big reason more seniors are turning to Medicare Advantage plans, many of which—around 70% in 2025—include dental benefits that can cover implants, depending on the specific plan and provider. I’ve noticed clients often assume Medicare handles more than it does, so if implants are something you need, you’d either pay out of pocket with Original Medicare or look into an Advantage plan that lists them in its benefits.

Answered by Brian Moore on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Brian Moore Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Original Medicare (OM) does not cover any dental. Dental coverage can be purchased separately.

William Gray · Answer

Medicare does NOT cover dental implants. There are some Med on care Advantage programs that might but there are limits.


There are stand alone Dental plans that do cover implants.

Voss Speros · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/is-it-true-that-medicare-pays-for-dental-implants#voss-speros

Joseph Meyers · Answer

Dental is jot covered by original Medicare, UNLESS MEDICALLY NECESSARY.
It is much more likely you will be paying a dental professional to pull your teeth amd set you up with dentures

Patrick Hecht · Answer

Generally, Original Medicare Parts A & B does not cover dental services like cleanings, fillings, dentures, or dental implants. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer limited dental benefits that may include partial coverage for implants. Coverage varies widely, so it's important to check the specifics, including annual maximums, waiting periods, and which providers are in-network.

Answered by Patrick Hecht on May 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA, CA, MD, PA & WV

Answered by Patrick Hecht Medicare Insurance Agent

Sherry Rose · Answer

Medicare typically does not pay for dental implants or most routine dental care (like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, or dentures). However, there are some exceptions and alternatives worth knowing:

1. Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
Does NOT cover dental implants or routine dental care.

It may cover a dental service if it's medically necessary as part of a covered medical procedure. For example:

If you need jaw reconstruction after an accident and dental implants are part of that surgery.

If a hospital stay is required for a complex dental procedure due to a serious health condition.

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Wherever you got that idea, please cross that person’s name off your advisor list! That is totally NOT true. The only aspect of Medicare that pays anything are for routine Dental, Vision and Hearing. The reason is that when Medicare was established in 1965, the Feds wanted to only be responsible for the inexpensive healthcare treatments. For example, in the Dental area, Medicare pays for x-rays cleanings and fluoride treatment. But, if you are seeking an umbrella policy that covers the more expensive procedures, buy a “DVH” (Dental, Vision & Hearing) individual policy that covers “some” aspects of implants, root canal, partial dentures extractions, etc. Your best option is one that can cost about $65.00 per person depending on your state.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

No. Dental benefits do not fall under Original Medicare Part A & B but it can be an available under a Medicare Advantage plan. Keep in mind that dental implants are considered a cosmetic procedure and are very expensive which is the reason that most dental plans don’t cover it or offer a limited amount.

Answered by Timothy Brown on June 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

Medicare Part A & B do not cover dental implants, however, some of the Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) that offer dental benefits may cover implants and/or other services.

There may also be some other standalone dental plans that offer coverage for dental implants.

Shelly Hefley · Answer

Medicare does not routinely pay for dental. Only certain dental if it is sustained in an accident. Most dentists do not want to bill Medicare due to limiting charges and not being participating.

Walt Smith · Answer

No, it is not true that Medicare will pay for dental implants. Medicare does not cover dental except for a few exceptions like impacted wisdom tooth.

Leslie Kaz · Answer

Medicare generally does not cover dental implants or most dental care, as it considers them non-medically necessary. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) typically only covers dental procedures if they are integral to a covered medical procedure, like jaw reconstruction after an accident. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer limited dental coverage, including implants, but this varies by plan and often comes with restrictions or additional costs.

Answered by Leslie Kaz on April 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 7 other states

Answered by Leslie Kaz Medicare Insurance Agent

Janet Cruz · Answer

Medicare Parts A and B do not cover dental implants or other routine dental care.  Such as:

Cleanings
Tooth extractions
Fillings
Dentures

The only way Medicare would cover dental work, is if it’s medically necessary, for example:

Jaw reconstruction, after an injury or tumor removal.

Infections or complications, where delaying the dental work, would impact another medicare covered treatment, like heart surgery. 

Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
Offer dental implant coverage,coverage, copays and limits may vary by plan. Some may offer $1,000-$2,000, which will leave you paying the rest out of pocket.

Andrew Kramer · Answer

No, original Medicare has no dental benefits other than related to an illness or maybe an accident, but not implants in either case. Most Advantage plans do include dental benefits of varying degrees, but very, very few include implants.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jerry Cohen · Answer

If we are talking about Original Medicare Parts A and B the answer is No. Original Medicare never included coverage for dental expenses. Covered isureds have the option of purchasing individual dental insurance which may or may not cover dental implants. Depending on circumstances, Original Medicare may cover some of the medical costs of implant insertion like prescription medication.

Answered by Jerry Cohen on April 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in NY

Answered by Jerry Cohen Medicare Insurance Agent

Jami Mead · Answer

No, Dental Implants are not covered by Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B. However, if you have dental implants already and experience a problem or have health concerns after the procedure Original Medicare may help to pay for some of the cost associated with the issue. There are a few Medicare Advantage plans that will help with the cost of Dental Implants, so I would encourage you to ask your Medicare Specialist if these options are available to you.

Answered by Jami Mead on April 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL, GA & 11 other states

Answered by Jami Mead Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Lombardo · Answer

Original Medicare does not cover dental at all and by extension dental implants.  Therefore, if you do go through the option of using original Medicare, in order to get dental coverage and in particular coverage for implants, you would have to get separate dental coverage.  Keep in mind this separate coverage would be outside of Medicare, and it would be a separate dental policy. 

However, if you wish to get your Medicare through a Part C, Medicare Advantage plan, most plans will cover dental but only a few might cover dental implants.  Having a trusted broker would help guide you through and find you the best plan is important in this situation.  I hope this helps.

Lowell Ryals · Answer

No
Some Advantage plans will help pay for implants and some dental insurance will help pay for implants.
Medicare will only cover medical necessary dental  (like you lost your teeth due to cancer)

Is it true that Medicare pays for dental implants?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

Is it true that Medicare pays for dental implants?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website