Medicare Dental, Vision & Hearing Coverage: The Complete Guide

Dental, vision, and hearing (DVH) care are essential parts of staying healthy as you age. Yet these are among the biggest gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Millions of Medicare beneficiaries pay out of pocket for dental cleanings, eyeglasses, and hearing aids because their basic Medicare benefits do not cover these services.

This comprehensive guide walks you through what Original Medicare does and does not cover for dental, vision, and hearing, how Medicare Advantage plans fill the gap, and what other options are available. Plans and coverage vary by location, so always check the specific details of plans in your area.

Dental, Vision, and Hearing: The Big Picture Under Medicare

When Medicare was created in 1965, it was designed primarily to cover hospital and physician services. Dental, vision, and hearing care were excluded from the program. More than 60 years later, that basic structure has not changed. Original Medicare still does not cover most routine DVH services.

This means that without additional coverage, Medicare beneficiaries may face significant out-of-pocket costs:

• Dental: Typical costs range from $100 for a basic cleaning to $6,000 or more for full dentures or implants.
• Vision: An eye exam costs $75 to $250, and prescription eyeglasses run $200 to $600. Specialty lenses or surgery can cost thousands more.
• Hearing: A hearing exam costs $60 to $250, and prescription hearing aids typically cost $2,000 to $7,000 per pair.

The good news is that there are several ways to get DVH coverage. Understanding your options is the first step toward making an informed choice.

What Original Medicare Covers for Dental, Vision, and Hearing

While Original Medicare excludes most routine DVH care, it does cover certain medically necessary services in each area. Here is a summary of what Parts A and B cover.

Dental Under Original Medicare

Original Medicare excludes routine dental care including cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, and dental implants. However, Medicare Part A may cover dental services when they are medically necessary before certain inpatient procedures, such as heart valve replacements, organ transplants, or cancer treatment involving the jaw. For a deep dive, see our article on whether Medicare covers dental care.

Vision Under Original Medicare

Original Medicare excludes routine eye exams and eyeglasses (with one exception: one pair of glasses or contacts after cataract surgery). It does cover annual glaucoma screenings for high-risk beneficiaries, diabetic retinopathy exams, macular degeneration treatment, and cataract surgery when medically necessary. Learn more in our guide on Medicare coverage for vision and eye exams.

Hearing Under Original Medicare

Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, hearing aid fittings, or routine hearing screenings. It does cover diagnostic hearing exams when ordered by a doctor to investigate a medical condition, and it covers cochlear implants as prosthetic devices when medically necessary. Read our full article on Medicare and hearing aids for more details.

Medicare Advantage: The Most Common Way to Get DVH Coverage

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are the primary way most Medicare beneficiaries access dental, vision, and hearing benefits. These plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They must cover everything Original Medicare covers, and many include additional benefits.

According to CMS data, over 98% of Medicare Advantage plans in 2026 offer some form of dental benefit, and a large percentage also include vision and hearing coverage. However, the level of coverage varies widely between plans.

Here is what you might typically find in a Medicare Advantage plan with DVH benefits:

• Dental: Preventive services like cleanings and X-rays at no extra cost, plus comprehensive services like fillings, crowns, and dentures with copays and annual benefit maximums typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
• Vision: One annual routine eye exam with a low copay, plus an annual eyewear allowance of $100 to $300 for glasses or contacts.
• Hearing: Annual hearing exams, plus an allowance toward hearing aids (often $500 to $3,000 per ear) available every one to three years.

Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans have trade-offs. They typically use provider networks, which means you may need to use in-network dentists, eye doctors, and audiologists. They also have annual out-of-pocket maximums for medical services, but DVH benefits may or may not count toward that limit depending on the plan.

Medigap Plans and DVH Coverage

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing services. This is a common point of confusion for Medicare beneficiaries.

Medigap plans are designed to help pay for out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, such as the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and excess charges. Since Original Medicare does not cover most DVH services, there are no DVH-related costs for Medigap to supplement.

If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan and want DVH coverage, you will need to purchase separate standalone dental, vision, and hearing plans. You cannot have both a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Standalone Dental, Vision, and Hearing Plans

Standalone DVH insurance plans are offered by private companies and are separate from Medicare. You can purchase them regardless of whether you have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. Here is a general overview of what these plans typically cost and cover.

• Standalone dental plans: Premiums typically range from $20 to $60 per month. Most cover preventive services (cleanings, exams, X-rays) with no waiting period and major services (crowns, dentures, implants) after a 6 to 12 month waiting period. Annual benefit maximums are generally $1,000 to $2,000.
• Standalone vision plans: Premiums typically range from $10 to $30 per month. Plans generally cover annual eye exams with a copay of $10 to $25, plus a frame and lens allowance of $100 to $200 per year. No waiting periods are common.
• Standalone hearing plans: Some hearing-focused programs cost $20 to $40 per month and offer hearing exams, discounted hearing aids, and follow-up care. These are less common than dental and vision plans.

Some insurance companies offer bundled DVH plans that combine dental, vision, and hearing coverage into a single plan with one monthly premium. These bundles may offer convenience and potentially lower combined costs.

Medicaid and Dual-Eligible DVH Benefits

If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may have access to additional DVH benefits through your state Medicaid program. People who are eligible for both programs are called "dual-eligible" beneficiaries.

Medicaid benefits vary significantly by state, but many state Medicaid programs cover:

• Dental services (most states offer at least emergency dental coverage, and many cover preventive and restorative care)
• Eye exams and eyeglasses (many states provide annual exams and a pair of glasses)
• Hearing aids (a growing number of states cover hearing aids, though benefits vary)

Contact your state Medicaid office or visit Medicaid.gov to learn what DVH benefits are available in your state.

Choosing the Right DVH Coverage: Key Considerations

Deciding how to get dental, vision, and hearing coverage depends on several personal factors. There is no single right answer for everyone. Here are the key decisions you will need to make. If you are considering Medicare Advantage, you may also want to review our article on Medicare Advantage pros and cons.

1. Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare with standalone plans: Medicare Advantage plans often bundle DVH benefits into the plan, which can be convenient and cost-effective. However, they come with network restrictions and different rules than Original Medicare. If you prefer the freedom to see any provider who accepts Medicare, you may prefer Original Medicare with a Medigap plan plus standalone DVH plans.
2. Evaluate your personal health needs: Consider how often you visit the dentist, whether you wear glasses or contacts, and whether you use or may need hearing aids. If you have significant needs in all three areas, bundled coverage may save you money compared to paying out of pocket.
3. Compare total costs, not just premiums: Look at the complete cost picture including premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, annual maximums, and any waiting periods. A plan with a low premium but a high deductible and low annual maximum may end up costing more than a plan with a slightly higher premium.
4. Check provider networks: If you have established relationships with a dentist, eye doctor, or audiologist, make sure they are in the network of any plan you are considering. Going out of network can significantly increase your costs.
5. Use Medicare Plan Finder: The Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov allows you to compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area, including their DVH benefits. This is one of the most useful tools for comparing your options side by side.

The Bottom Line

Original Medicare provides only limited dental, vision, and hearing coverage, restricted to specific medically necessary situations. For routine care like dental cleanings, eye exams, eyeglasses, and hearing aids, you will need additional coverage.

Your main options are Medicare Advantage plans with DVH benefits, standalone dental, vision, and hearing plans, or a combination of approaches. If you are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, your state Medicaid program may provide additional DVH benefits.

Take the time to assess your personal health needs, compare the plans available in your area, and consider the total cost of each option. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but with the right information, you can make a choice that fits your health needs and budget.

Plans and coverage vary by location. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute individual advice. Contact a licensed insurance agent or visit Medicare.gov to explore the specific plans available to you.