In this blog post, we will help set your expectations regarding Dental, Vision and Hearing benefits.
Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, does not cover everything. Routine dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids are excluded from Medicare coverage often leaving many without the adequate care needed to protect their health and quality of life.
Dental Care:
Dental services may be covered if they are an essential part of another Medicare-covered procedure. For example, if you hurt your jaw in an accident, Medicare may cover jaw reconstruction if it is medically necessary to treat your injury and may cover extraction of teeth to prepare the jaw for radiation treatment.
Medicare may cover dental exams prior to a complicated procedure. Coverage may fall under Medicare Part A or Part B, depending on whether the oral exam is performed in an inpatient or outpatient setting. About 75% of Medicare Advantage plan enrollees (25% of all Medicare beneficiaries) have access to some dental coverage as a supplemental benefit under their Medicare Advantage plan.
Hearing Care:
Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams to get fitted for them. You will pay 100% of the cost if you have Original Medicare, Part A and Part B. You may be able to get coverage for hearing care (including hearing aids) through a Medicare Advantage plan. Since benefits vary, check with the individual Medicare Advantage plan.
Vision Care:
Medicare does not typically cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, Medicare Part B may cover corrective lenses after you have cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens. You will be covered for either one set of glasses or contact lenses following your surgery if you get these items from a supplier that is enrolled with the Medicare program. If you upgrade your frames, you will pay any extra costs.
In most other situations, you will pay the full cost for eyeglasses and contact lenses. You may be able to get coverage for routine vision services (including glasses or contact lenses) through a Medicare Advantage plan.
Absence of routine dental, hearing and vision care can delay the diagnosis of serious health conditions leading to more costly treatments later. Untreated hearing or vision loss can lead to a variety of physical and mental health problems. Hearing loss increases the risk of dementia, falls, and depression and may increase social isolation and reduce cognitive function.
Congress must consider legislation expanding coverage for dental, vision, and hearing benefits in Medicare. Until such time, MediSmart Advisors can provide a thorough review of your Medicare coverage options including Medicare Advantage plans that offer a level of dental, vision and hearing care benefits.
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