Should Medicare cover dental, vision, and hearing, or would that just make it more expensive for everyone?

Question

Joshua Cooper · Accepted Answer

If Medicare covered dental, vision and hearing it would increase the cost to tax payers no doubt. These services are provided by independent practices so it is most cost effective for them to be offered through private companies such as Humana, Aetna, Manhattan life etc….

Answered by Joshua Cooper on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, AL, FL & 10 other states

Answered by Joshua Cooper Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

I believe Medicare should have more dental, vision, hearing, and preventive care services built into the traditional system, just like many Medicare Advantage plans offer these services within their programs.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Melonie Wood · Answer

Many plans already cover the additional benefits of Dental/Hearing/Vision at no additional costs.  The amounts covered vary depending on the area and the specific plan

Jillian Bellinger-Laing · Answer

Medicare does cover eye exams and hearing exams because they are checking you for things like cataracts and glaucoma. They will not pay for the glasses or the hearing aids. If they did cover those things, it would be likely that the cost would go up.

Answered by Jillian Bellinger-Laing on May 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, DE, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Jillian Bellinger-Laing Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Medicare basically only covers routine problems with Dental, Vision & Hearing. For example, fluoride treatment, x-rays, and cleanings are reimbursable in the area of Dental. However, there are some excellent “DVH” plans that will partially pay for a root canal, a cap, a crown, etc., that are reasonably priced. Anyone can buy this policy at any age; it is not just for seniors! Check into it.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Aaron Solomon · Answer

Tranditional Medicare (Part A & Part B) does not cover Dental, Hearing and Vision.

A  If you want to have these beenfits, A  supplement plan does not included dental, hearing, vision.
You would have to purchase a separate plan.

    The easliest way to get Dental, Hearing and vision is to have a MAPD.
These benfits are some the extra benefits in an MAPD plan.

Cindy Clonts · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/should-medicare-cover-dental-vision-and-hearing-or-would-that-just-make-it-more-expensive-for-everyone#cindy-clonts

Bruce Kern · Answer

They can offer plans at a cost based on the amount coverage they want. 
Or they can purchase a separate stand alone dental plan

Bill Zeky · Answer

Without knowing the inner workings of CMS, (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid), I can only guess that it would probably increase costs for everyone. What I do know is the teeth, eyes and ears of seniors are aging right along with all of our other body parts and should not be neglected. I encounter too many seniors that neglect these vital coverages.

Answered by Bill Zeky on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Bill Zeky Medicare Insurance Agent

Shannan Pruitt · Answer

There is no way Medicare could afford to cover these extra non life threatening benefits. Medicare is medically necessary. Medicare was never meant to cover everything. Medicare does not cover LTC either. There’s simply not enough money set aside to cover these extra benefits.

Answered by Shannan Pruitt on June 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in AR, MO, OK & TX

Answered by Shannan Pruitt Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

The decision of whether or not to expand Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing involves a complex trade-off between the benefits of improved health outcomes and the potential costs to the program and individual beneficiaries. While expanding coverage could offer significant benefits, it would also require addressing the challenges of increasing costs and ensuring equitable access for all beneficiaries.

Answered by Fred Manas on May 12, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Henderson · Answer

This is a complex issue. Not only we have to have the government original Medicare cover it or do what they do with prescription drug plants similar model
But the only way to make it work is to mandate. Everyone have one and that's where the problem comes in because dentists today don't have to take any insurances and you'd have to pretty much make it financially viable for a dentist to take it 
Medicare advantage plants offer limited dental vision and hearing already
If you have a Medicare supplement plan, you can purchase them separately that are widely accepted

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Adding dental, vision, and hearing coverage to traditional Medicare would likely increase costs for some beneficiaries, but it could also improve overall health outcomes and potentially reduce healthcare spending in the long run by addressing preventative issues early. Currently, Original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care, leading to high out-of-pocket costs for many beneficiaries and potentially delaying or forgoing necessary care.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on June 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Carol Thompson · Answer

It would be more expensive if you acquire stand alone plans with Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement. Medicare advantage plans offer dental, hearing and vision as part c.

Deborah Webster · Answer

Medicare does not cover any of the above. Whether or not they should is irrelevant because it's not covered. Sending feedback to your congressmen or to Medicare would be a way to let them know what the public wants or needs. Medical costs are increasing, so the expense to consumers will continue to rise regardless of whether they cover any extras.

Answered by Deborah Webster on May 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent

Karen Ansell · Answer

Yes Medicare should cover dental, vision and hearing. We all know dental issues can cause many other health issues and a person with hearing issues can feel isolated and depressed. Which both will cost more in the long run.

Answered by Karen Ansell on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, KY & OH

Answered by Karen Ansell Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Pereiro · Answer

Most MA and MAPD Plans do cover these opportunities. There basic services provided at no cost and then there are also comprehensive services for minimal cost or cost savings. Most plans also provide optional supplemental plans if more extensive coverage is needed, however, at additional cost.

Answered by Larry Pereiro on April 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN

Answered by Larry Pereiro Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Haft · Answer

Medicare itself does not cover, Dental, Vision or Hearing. BUT, Medicare Advantage Plans - many of them cover some of these extra benefits, but you must use their facilities, meaning you must use their dental facilities and their hearing vendors as well as their vision vendors. If you have a dentist that you wish to maintain and he or she is not on the dental provider list of the Medicare Advantage Plan, then you have to decide if you are willing to change dentists. If Medicare Supplements were to add these benefits to their plans, they would have to increase their premiums to cover some of those benefits or make them an option to add them otherwise if they are included at a higher premium, many that don't need or wish to have those benefits would end up paying for them for everyone else.

Answered by Gary Haft on May 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states

Answered by Gary Haft Medicare Insurance Agent

William Scott · Answer

Great question! Medicare addresses the most expensive healthcare feature a person would need. 

Insurance carriers work closely with doctors and pharmacists to offer cost effective measures with ancillary benefits like dental, vision, hearing and built-in low cost prescription drug plans that will assist consumer in living healthier lives, which equates with preventing unnecessary hospital stays. 

The two work hand-in-hand in keeping Americans living healthier lives.

Jack Mayer · Answer

Medicare will not cover dental, vision and hearing. It is an ancillary benefit offered by insurance carriers who offer Medicare Advantage Plans. Medicare was only intended to help with Hospital and Medical care. My guess is that if these perks were added on to Medicare, a Federal Program it would drive cost through the roof.

Answered by Jack Mayer on May 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA & NV

Answered by Jack Mayer Medicare Insurance Agent

Donnie Vermillion · Answer

Expanding Medicare benefits to cover dental, vision, and hearing would more than likely increase the cost of Medicare.

Louanne Allison · Answer

Most Medicare Advantage plans and State Medicaid already cover dental, vision and hearing.  Medicare Supplements do not cover Dental, Vision and Hearing, but some carriers, like UHC, offer discounts or BCBS offers a $17 a month DVH for those on Supplements.  

As an agent, I cannot say that it would be more expensive for everyone without any data.  But, if a person takes the time and effort to get cleanings, use electric toothbrush, floss daily, work on periodontal disease and/or get dentures when their natural teeth are no longer good, they can be healthier.  Dental disease is a leading indicator of health.  If you take better care of your teeth, your health can be better overall, with less expense to you, Medicare and your insurance carrier.

Michael Turkaly · Answer

Medicare does not cover those items and I don't believe they should to keep cost down. However, Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision and hearing coverage.