Medicare Expansion: New Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefits
This bill aims to expand Medicare to include comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing benefits. This means millions of Americans covered by Medicare will gain access to care previously not standardly covered, potentially significantly reducing their healthcare expenses and improving their quality of life. The changes are set to take effect from January 1, 2024.
Key points
Medicare will cover a wide range of dental services, including preventive care (e.g., cleanings, exams), basic services (e.g., fillings, extractions), and major services (e.g., crowns, root canals).
Coverage for dentures will be introduced, with a limit of one full or partial denture every five years, with 80% coverage starting in 2025.
Medicare will cover routine eye exams and other necessary vision health services, as well as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low vision devices, with 80% coverage starting in 2024.
Medicare coverage will be expanded to include routine hearing exams, audiology services, and hearing aids, with a limit of one hearing aid per ear every 48 months and 80% coverage starting in 2024.
An oral health professional will be included on the United States Preventive Services Task Force to ensure better recommendations in this area.
Expired
Citizen Poll