Ask a room of seniors what surprised them most about Medicare and many will say the same thing: it does not cover the dentist, the eye doctor for glasses, or hearing aids. These are some of the most common needs later in life, yet Original Medicare leaves most of them out. Here is how to fill that gap.
The Coverage Gap
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures), routine vision care (eye exams for glasses, the glasses themselves), or hearing care (exams for fitting hearing aids, and the hearing aids). There are narrow exceptions when care is medically necessary as part of a covered procedure, but day-to-day dental, vision, and hearing needs are on you.
Your Coverage Options
There are two main ways seniors fill this gap:
- Standalone dental, vision, and hearing (DVH) insurance paired with Original Medicare.
- A Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental, vision, and hearing as extra benefits.
Standalone DVH Insurance
A DVH policy is separate insurance you buy to cover routine dental, vision, and hearing services, often bundled into one plan. Because it works alongside Original Medicare, you keep the freedom to see any provider that accepts Medicare for your other care. You pay a separate premium, and plans differ in what they cover, annual maximums, and waiting periods, so read the details.
Compare Your Dental, Vision & Hearing Options
There is more than one way to cover dental, vision, and hearing. Answer 6 quick questions and a licensed advisor can compare Medicare Advantage plans and standalone options available where you live, at no cost.
Check My EligibilityMedicare Advantage Extra Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans fold dental, vision, and hearing benefits in as extras, sometimes at no additional premium. The catch is that the amount of coverage, annual limits, and networks vary a great deal from plan to plan. Our guide on Medicare Advantage dental benefits goes deeper. If these benefits are a priority, compare the fine print rather than assuming all plans are equal.
How to Choose
If you want to keep Original Medicare and any provider, a standalone DVH policy may fit best. If you like the idea of bundling these benefits into one plan with a low premium and you are comfortable with a network, a Medicare Advantage plan may be the better route. Either way, a licensed advisor can compare the specific dental, vision, and hearing benefits available where you live so you are not guessing.