Medicare Dental, Vision & Hearing Legislation: Where Do Bills Stand?

More than 67 million Americans rely on Medicare for their health coverage, yet the program does not include routine dental, vision, or hearing (DVH) services. This gap has been a growing concern for decades, particularly as the population ages and the costs of dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids continue to rise.

Multiple bills in Congress aim to change this by adding DVH benefits to Original Medicare. Polls consistently show that over 80% of Americans support adding these benefits. This article tracks the current legislation, explains what each bill proposes, and provides a realistic outlook on where things stand.

Why Medicare Does Not Cover Dental, Vision, and Hearing

When Medicare was created in 1965, dental, vision, and hearing services were excluded by design. The original law focused on hospital and physician services, reflecting the medical understanding and priorities of the time. Dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids were considered separate from medical care, and including them was not part of the program's scope.

In the decades since, medical research has increasingly shown that oral health, vision, and hearing are closely connected to overall health outcomes. Poor dental health is linked to heart disease and diabetes. Untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and social isolation. Yet the statutory exclusions remain in place.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) currently excludes routine dental cleanings, fillings, dentures, eye exams, eyeglasses, hearing exams, and hearing aids. There are narrow exceptions, such as dental work before certain surgeries. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide on whether Medicare covers dental care.

Current Bills in Congress

Several bills in the 119th Congress seek to add dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Medicare. Here is a summary of the key legislation:

H.R. 2045: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (House)

• Cosponsors: Approximately 122 cosponsors as of early 2026
• What it proposes: Adds comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing coverage to Medicare Part B. Coverage would include preventive and restorative dental services, routine eye exams and eyeglasses, and hearing exams and hearing aids. Medicare would cover approximately 80% of costs after a phase-in period.
• Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Ways and Means. No floor vote scheduled as of February 2026.

S.939: Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act (Senate)

• What it proposes: This is the companion bill to H.R. 2045 in the Senate. It proposes the same comprehensive DVH benefits under Medicare Part B.
• Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. No hearing or markup scheduled.

H.R. 500: Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (House)

• What it proposes: A narrower bill focused only on hearing. It would add coverage for hearing exams, hearing aids, and related services to Medicare Part B. It does not address dental or vision.
• Status: Referred to committee. Some observers believe a hearing-only bill has a slightly higher chance of advancing because of its lower estimated cost.

S.2084: Comprehensive Medicare DVH Coverage Act (Senate)

• What it proposes: Similar to S.939 but with a different proposed phase-in timeline and cost-sharing structure. Includes provisions for provider network development in underserved areas.
• Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.

History of DVH Legislative Efforts

The push to add dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Medicare has a long history. Understanding past efforts helps explain where things stand today and why progress has been slow.

• 2019-2020: Multiple DVH bills were introduced in both chambers of Congress. The Medicare Dental Benefit Act and similar proposals attracted growing cosponsor support but did not advance out of committee.
• 2021: Build Back Better Act: The House-passed Build Back Better Act included dental, vision, and hearing coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The dental benefit was the most comprehensive, covering preventive, basic, and major services. The bill passed the House but stalled in the Senate.
• 2022: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): When Build Back Better was restructured into the IRA, DVH provisions were removed to reduce costs. The IRA passed without any dental, vision, or hearing additions to Medicare.
• 2023-2024: DVH bills were reintroduced in the 118th Congress with continued bipartisan support. Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates put the cost of comprehensive DVH coverage at hundreds of billions of dollars over ten years, which remained a key obstacle.
• 2025-2026: The current bills (H.R. 2045, S.939, H.R. 500, S.2084) represent the latest iteration. Cosponsor counts have grown, but none of the bills have received a committee vote or been scheduled for a floor vote.

What CMS Is Doing Administratively

While Congress debates legislation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken some administrative steps to expand access to DVH services within existing authority.

• Expanded Medicare Advantage DVH benefits: CMS has encouraged Medicare Advantage plans to offer more generous dental, vision, and hearing benefits. In 2026, approximately 98% of Medicare Advantage plans offer some dental coverage, and the majority include vision and hearing benefits.
• Dental coverage tied to medical conditions: CMS has clarified that Medicare Part B can cover dental services when they are inextricably linked to a covered medical treatment, such as dental exams before organ transplants or cardiac procedures.
• Over-the-counter hearing aids: The FDA finalized rules in 2022 allowing over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold without a prescription. While Medicare does not cover the cost, this has made hearing aids more accessible and affordable, with prices starting as low as $200 to $800 per pair for OTC models.

These administrative actions help at the margins but do not replace the need for legislation to add comprehensive DVH benefits to Original Medicare.

Realistic Outlook for DVH Legislation

Despite widespread public support and bipartisan cosponsorship, DVH legislation faces significant challenges. Here is an honest assessment of the outlook:

• Cost concerns: Comprehensive DVH coverage is estimated to cost hundreds of billions of dollars over ten years. Finding a way to pay for it without increasing the deficit or raising taxes is a major hurdle.
• Competing priorities: Medicare faces other financial pressures, including the solvency of the Part A Trust Fund and the rising cost of prescription drugs. DVH competes for attention and resources with these issues.
• Political dynamics: While support exists in both parties, the level of priority differs. DVH is more likely to advance as part of a larger legislative package rather than as a standalone bill.
• Incremental progress possible: A narrower bill, such as one focused on hearing aids only (H.R. 500), may have a better chance of passage than a comprehensive DVH bill. Incremental additions have precedent in Medicare's history.

Advocacy organizations and AARP continue to push for DVH coverage, and public pressure remains strong. However, passage in the near term would likely require either a budget reconciliation vehicle or a bipartisan agreement to offset the costs.

What You Can Do Now

While waiting for legislative action, there are concrete steps you can take to get dental, vision, and hearing coverage:

• Consider Medicare Advantage: If you want DVH benefits bundled with your Medicare coverage, a Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option. Most plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits at no additional premium. See our guide on Medicare Advantage plans with the best dental coverage.
• Purchase standalone coverage: Standalone dental and vision insurance plans are available to anyone, regardless of Medicare enrollment. For bundled options, see our article on the best dental, vision, and hearing bundle plans.
• Explore community resources: Federally Qualified Health Centers, dental schools, and state programs may offer reduced-cost dental and vision services. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging for resources in your area.
• Contact your representatives: If you support adding DVH benefits to Medicare, let your members of Congress know. Constituent feedback influences legislative priorities. You can find your representative at house.gov and your senators at senate.gov.
• Check Medicaid eligibility: If you have limited income, you may qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibility). Medicaid programs in many states cover dental, vision, and hearing services.

The Bottom Line

Adding dental, vision, and hearing coverage to Medicare remains one of the most popular health policy ideas in the country, with support from both parties and the vast majority of the public. Multiple bills, including H.R. 2045 with 122 cosponsors, aim to make it happen. However, the high cost and competing budget priorities have prevented passage so far.

For now, Medicare beneficiaries who need DVH services should explore Medicare Advantage plans, standalone insurance, and community resources. For a comprehensive look at all your current options, read our complete guide to Medicare dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

This article reflects legislative status as of February 2026 and is for educational purposes only. Bill statuses, cosponsor counts, and provisions may change. Visit congress.gov for the most current information on pending legislation.