Quick Answer
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does NOT cover routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings, dentures, routine eye exams, glasses, contacts, or hearing aids. Your options are Medicare Advantage (many plans include these benefits), standalone dental/vision/hearing plans, or discount programs.
Coverage Comparison by Plan Type
| Plan Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare (Parts A & B) | Not Covered (routine) | Only covers medically necessary dental/vision/hearing procedures |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Often Included | Most MA plans include some dental, vision, and hearing benefits |
| Standalone Dental/Vision Plan | Covered | Separate plans available year-round; costs $10–$50/month |
| Medigap (Supplement) | Not Covered | Medigap only supplements Original Medicare - no extras |
Understanding Your Coverage Options
Dental Coverage for Seniors
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care - including exams, cleanings, X-rays, fillings, extractions, dentures, or implants. The only dental services covered are those that are medically necessary in a hospital setting (e.g., jaw reconstruction after an accident).
Your options for dental coverage include: (1) Medicare Advantage plans - about 90% of MA plans offer some dental benefits, ranging from basic preventive care to comprehensive coverage; (2) Standalone dental insurance ($15–$50/month for preventive; $30–$80/month for comprehensive); (3) Dental discount cards (not insurance, but reduce costs 10–60%).
What It Covers
- Medicare Advantage: preventive dental (exams, cleanings, X-rays) in most plans; some cover fillings, extractions, dentures
- Standalone plans: preventive, basic restorative (fillings), and major (crowns, dentures, implants) depending on plan tier
- Discount cards: reduced rates at participating dentists - no waiting periods
- Medicaid: covers dental for dual-eligible beneficiaries in most states
What It Doesn't Cover
- Original Medicare does not cover any routine dental care
- Most MA dental benefits have annual maximums ($1,000–$2,500) - major work may exceed the limit
- Medigap does not add dental coverage
- Dental implants are rarely covered even by MA plans
Vision Coverage for Seniors
Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, prescription glasses, or contact lenses. It does cover medically necessary eye care: cataract surgery (including one pair of glasses afterward), glaucoma screening for high-risk patients, and diabetic retinopathy exams.
Medicare Advantage plans typically include an annual routine eye exam and an eyewear allowance ($100–$300) for glasses or contacts. Standalone vision plans (VSP, EyeMed) cost $10–$30/month and cover annual exams plus an eyewear allowance.
What It Covers
- Medicare Advantage: routine eye exam + $100–$300 eyewear allowance in most plans
- Standalone vision plans: annual exam + eyewear allowance ($150–$300)
- Original Medicare Part B: cataract surgery + one pair of glasses afterward
- Original Medicare Part B: glaucoma screening (high-risk patients), diabetic retinopathy exams
What It Doesn't Cover
- Original Medicare does not cover routine eye exams or glasses
- LASIK and cosmetic eye procedures are not covered by any Medicare plan
- Low vision aids (magnifiers, etc.) are generally not covered
- MA vision benefits can change each year at Annual Enrollment Period
Hearing Coverage for Seniors
Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids. It does cover diagnostic hearing exams ordered by a doctor to determine if medical treatment is needed, and cochlear implants when medically necessary.
Hearing aids cost $1,000–$8,000 per pair without coverage. Medicare Advantage plans increasingly include hearing benefits - some cover exams and provide an allowance ($500–$2,500) toward hearing aids. Standalone hearing plans and discount programs (e.g., TruHearing, HearUSA) are also available.
What It Covers
- Medicare Advantage: hearing exam + hearing aid allowance ($500–$2,500) in many plans
- Original Medicare Part B: diagnostic hearing exam ordered by a doctor
- Original Medicare Part B: cochlear implants (medically necessary)
- OTC hearing aids (FDA-approved since 2022): available without prescription for mild-moderate loss, $250–$3,000
What It Doesn't Cover
- Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids
- Medigap does not add hearing coverage
- MA hearing benefits vary widely - some plans offer only discounts, not true coverage
- Most plans do not cover the full cost of premium hearing aids
Medicare Advantage: The All-In-One Option
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is the most popular way for seniors to get dental, vision, and hearing coverage. About 90% of MA plans offer some dental benefits, 90% offer vision, and 75% offer hearing benefits. The quality and extent of coverage varies significantly by plan and location.
When comparing MA plans, look beyond the premium - check the annual dental maximum, whether the plan covers major dental work, the vision eyewear allowance, and the hearing aid allowance. Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder to compare plans in your zip code.
What It Covers
- Dental: preventive (exams, cleanings, X-rays) in ~90% of plans; some cover major work
- Vision: annual exam + eyewear allowance in ~90% of plans
- Hearing: exam + hearing aid allowance in ~75% of plans
- All Original Medicare services (Parts A and B) plus usually Part D drug coverage
What It Doesn't Cover
- MA plans cannot be used alongside Medigap
- Extra benefits can be reduced or eliminated each year at AEP
- Network restrictions apply - must use in-network providers for lowest cost
- Annual maximums on dental/vision/hearing benefits - major work may exceed limits
Compare Plans on Medicare.gov
Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder to compare dental, vision, and hearing benefits for all MA plans in your zip code. Filter by your preferred dentist or eye doctor to find in-network plans.
Standalone Dental, Vision, and Hearing Plans
If you have Original Medicare and Medigap (rather than Medicare Advantage), standalone plans are your path to dental, vision, and hearing coverage. These are separate insurance policies not connected to Medicare.
Standalone dental plans typically cost $15–$80/month depending on coverage level. Standalone vision plans (VSP, EyeMed) cost $10–$30/month. Standalone hearing plans or discount programs (TruHearing, HearUSA) cost $0–$30/month. You can purchase these plans year-round - there is no enrollment period restriction.
What It Covers
- Standalone dental: preventive, basic restorative, and major coverage depending on tier
- Standalone vision: annual exam + eyewear allowance ($150–$300)
- Hearing discount programs: 30–60% off hearing aids at participating providers
- No enrollment period restrictions - available year-round
What It Doesn't Cover
- Standalone plans are separate from Medicare - they do not coordinate with Medicare benefits
- Most standalone dental plans have waiting periods (6–12 months) for major work
- Annual maximums apply - typically $1,000–$2,500 for dental
- Standalone plans do not count toward Medicare out-of-pocket costs
Dental, Vision & Hearing Coverage Costs at a Glance (2026)
| Coverage Type | Monthly Cost | Annual Maximum/Allowance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Dental (preventive) | $0 (included in plan) | $1,000–$2,500 | Basic cleanings and exams |
| Standalone Dental (comprehensive) | $30–$80/month | $1,500–$3,000 | Major dental work (crowns, dentures) |
| MA Vision | $0 (included in plan) | $100–$300 eyewear | Annual exam + glasses |
| Standalone Vision (VSP/EyeMed) | $10–$30/month | $150–$300 eyewear | Annual exam + glasses/contacts |
| MA Hearing | $0 (included in plan) | $500–$2,500 hearing aids | Hearing exam + hearing aids |
| OTC Hearing Aids | One-time purchase | $250–$3,000 per pair | Mild-moderate hearing loss |
✦ What Original Medicare Does Cover
Cataract Surgery
Original Medicare Part B covers cataract surgery and one pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses after the procedure.
Cochlear Implants
Part B covers cochlear implants when a doctor deems them medically necessary for severe hearing loss.
Glaucoma Screening
Part B covers annual glaucoma screening for high-risk patients (diabetics, family history, African Americans 50+, Hispanics 65+).
Diabetic Retinopathy Exams
Part B covers annual dilated eye exams for diabetic patients to screen for retinopathy.
✦ Legislative Updates
Medicare Dental Benefit Act (Proposed)
ProposedMultiple bills have been introduced to add dental coverage to Original Medicare, but none have passed as of 2026.
OTC Hearing Aids (Passed, 2022)
PassedFDA approved over-the-counter hearing aids in 2022, making affordable hearing aids available without a prescription for mild-moderate loss.
MA Extra Benefits Scrutiny (2026)
PassedCMS tightened rules on MA extra benefits in 2026, requiring benefits to be primarily health-related. Some plans reduced dental/vision/hearing allowances.
How to Get the Best Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage
The best approach depends on whether you have Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare + Medigap. If you have MA, compare plans during Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) to find the best dental, vision, and hearing benefits for your needs.
If you have Original Medicare + Medigap, purchase standalone dental and vision plans year-round. For hearing, consider OTC hearing aids for mild-moderate loss or a hearing discount program to reduce costs.
Coverage Checklist for Dental, Vision & Hearing
- Compare MA plans on Medicare.gov during AEP (Oct 15–Dec 7) - filter by dental/vision/hearing benefits
- Check if your current dentist and eye doctor are in-network before switching MA plans
- For Original Medicare + Medigap users: purchase standalone dental and vision plans year-round
- Ask your dentist about payment plans or dental school clinics for major work
- Consider OTC hearing aids for mild-moderate hearing loss - FDA-approved since 2022
- Check if your state Medicaid program covers dental/vision/hearing if you are dual-eligible
- Review your MA plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each September for benefit changes
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
David Haass
AuthorDavid Haass is a licensed Medicare expert who has been helping beneficiaries navigate their Medicare options for over a decade.
Ashlee Zareczny
ReviewerAshlee Zareczny is a licensed Medicare agent dedicated to helping those eligible for Medicare find the best coverage options.