Dental, Vision & Hearing Insurance
Original Medicare has a major gap: it doesn't cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. Here's what you need to know.
What Medicare doesn't cover
Cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures - not covered.
Typical costs: $100–200/cleaning, $1,000–3,000 for dentures
Routine eye exams, glasses, and contacts - not covered.
Typical costs: $100–200/exam, $200–600 for glasses
Hearing exams and hearing aids - not covered.
Typical costs: $2,000–7,000/pair for hearing aids
Note: Medicare does cover some medical eye care (glaucoma, cataracts) and diagnostic hearing tests. It's just routine care and devices that aren't covered.
Your options for coverage
Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Coverage varies widely - some offer basic preventive care, others are more comprehensive. Check the plan details carefully.
If you're on Original Medicare (or want more coverage than your MA plan provides), you can buy separate dental, vision, and hearing policies. These typically cost $20–50/month each.
Not insurance, but a membership that gets you discounted rates at participating dentists. Usually $10–20/month with 10–60% off services. Good for basic care.
What to look for in a plan
Some plans make you wait 6–12 months for major services like crowns or dentures.
Many dental plans cap benefits at $1,000–2,000/year. If you need major work, you may hit this limit.
Check if your current dentist/optometrist is in-network to get the best rates.
If included, check how much the allowance is and how often (every 1–3 years).
Related coverage options
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This is a solicitation for insurance. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.