Does Medicare Cover Dental, Vision, and Hearing?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. That means cleanings, fillings, dentures, routine eye exams, eyeglasses, routine hearing exams, and hearing aids are usually not covered. There are limited exceptions, such as certain medically necessary services tied to another covered condition or surgery.

Many Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits beyond Original Medicare, and these often feature routine dental, vision, and hearing coverage. The specific benefits, limits, and provider networks vary widely from plan to plan, so it is important to read the details and confirm coverage levels before assuming a service is included.

If dental, vision, and hearing coverage is important to you, you have options. Some people choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes these benefits, while others purchase separate standalone dental, vision, or hearing policies. A licensed Medicare advisor can help you compare plans and explain what each one covers so you can find coverage that matches your needs.

When comparing these extra benefits, look closely at the details, such as annual dollar limits, which providers you can use, and whether services like dentures or hearing aids are actually included. A generous-sounding benefit may have caps that affect how much it really helps. Reviewing the specifics each year ensures the coverage continues to meet your needs as plans adjust their offerings.