How to Get Medicare Dental & Vision Coverage

Published by: Medicare Made Clear

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) helps pay for “medically necessary” care. This means care that’s required to diagnose or treat an illness or condition.

Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?

Dental care is not seen as medically necessary by Medicare. Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental exams, procedures or supplies. Part A, however, may help with certain dental services while you’re in the hospital.

Does Medicare Cover Vision Care?

Vision care is not seen as medically necessary, so Original Medicare doesn’t cover eye exams, eyeglasses or other related vision services.

However, Medicare Part B may cover some things for vision including preventive or diagnostic eye exams, including glaucoma tests, yearly eye exams to test for diabetic retinopathy and eye tests for macular degeneration, cataract surgery and prescription lenses or eyeglasses in certain situations.

But fear not, you have options if you have Medicare and want some help with the cost of dental and vision care. Learn how to get dental, vision and hearing care covered when choosing Medicare in the video below.

Getting Medicare Coverage for Dental, Vision & Hearing

Video transcript

Illustrated icons in light blue circles slide into view on a blue background.

The first icon shows a tooth.

The second icon shows an eye.

The third icon shows an ear.

White text and check boxes appear below the icons.

An illustrated purple magnifying glass glances over the icons.

ON SCREEN TEXT: How can I get coverage for...

ON SCREEN TEXT: Dental

ON SCREEN TEXT: Vision

ON SCREEN TEXT: Hearing

A red X appears over the icons.
A white bar appears at the top of the screen.

ON SCREEN TEXT: PART A PART B

Original Medicare

ON SCREEN TEXT: Original Medicare does not offer coverage for...

The red X disappears and green check marks appear in the boxes below the icons.

A new green bar appears at the top of the screen.

ON SCREEN TEXT: PART C

Medicare Advantage

ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage for...

The icons and text slide to the left.

The green bar remains.

Three new illustrated icons in light blue circles appear.

The first shows a pill bottle.

The second shows a stick figure running.

The third shows a book with an apple on it.

Green check marks appear in the boxes below the icons.

ON SCREEN TEXT: And other services such as...

ON SCREEN TEXT: Prescription Drugs

ON SCREEN TEXT: Fitness Benefits

ON SCREEN TEXT: Healthy Member Rewards

The screen slides to the left and a new light blue bar appears at the top of the screen.

The tooth, eye, and ear icons appear, and a red X is drawn over them.

ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Supplement Insurance

ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare supplement plans do not offer coverage for...

ON SCREEN TEXT: Dental

ON SCREEN TEXT: Vision

ON SCREEN TEXT: Hearing

Text slides off to the left of the screen and the red X disappears.

Green dollar signs appear in the boxes below the icons.

ON SCREEN TEXT: But, Medicare supplement plan providers may offer separate coverage or discount programs at additional costs.

The text and icons slide up off the screen.

White text appears on the blue background.

ON SCREEN TEXT: Medicare Made Clear® by UnitedHealthcare

Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental and Vision?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans can offer coverage for dental and vision health items in addition to also offering the same coverage as Original Medicare. Most also include prescription drug coverage as well as other benefits such as hearing health coverage and gym memberships.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies. The plans available to you depend on where you live. What specific dental and vision items are covered and how much they cost will vary from plan to plan.

Shop Medicare Advantage Plans

Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans and shop plans in your area.

Find Plans in Your Area

You can search and compare available Medicare plans with dental and vision coverage in your area using this simple tool. Just enter your ZIP code, and the tool will generate a list of plans offered where you live.

You may choose plans from the list to learn about and compare. Estimated annual costs and plan ratings for each plan may help you find a plan that may help you meet your needs.

The insurance companies offering plans in your area may be able to provide more information and answer your questions. Just contact them directly.

Regular dental and vision exams are important for maintaining overall health. It’s important to research your options and to find a plan that provides the services you want and need.

Medicare Made Clear

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