Congress·In Committee·S. 939

Senate Bill Would Add Dental, Hearing, and Vision Benefits to Medicare

Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

Medicare would start covering dental work like cleanings, fillings, and root canals. Most preventive care would be free for patients, while other procedures would be covered at 80%. Coverage for dentures would begin in 2026, with other dental services starting in 2027.
From policy text
“the term `dental and oral health services' means the following items and services that are furnished by a doctor of dental surgery or of dental medicine (as described in subsection (r)(2)) or an oral health professional (as defined in paragraph (3)) on or after January 1, 2027 (or January 1, 2026, in the case of dentures):”
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The plan adds coverage for hearing exams and hearing aids for people with significant hearing loss. Starting in 2027, Medicare would pay for one hearing aid per ear every five years. It also allows hearing specialists to provide these services directly without needing a doctor's order first.
Seniors would get help paying for vision care, including one routine eye exam and one pair of glasses every two years. This new benefit is scheduled to begin in 2027. It covers standard frames and lenses but does not include deluxe or designer options.
From policy text
“With respect to conventional eyeglasses furnished to an individual on or after January 1, 2027, subject to subparagraph (B), payment shall be made under this part only during a 2-year period, for 1 pair of eyeglasses (including lenses and the frame).”
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To keep costs manageable for seniors, the bill phases in any increases to monthly Medicare premiums over several years. Between 2026 and 2030, the government would gradually adjust the Part B premium so that the new benefits do not cause a sudden, large price hike for participants.
From policy text
“For each of 2026 through 2030, the Secretary shall use the alternative monthly actuarial rate for enrollees age 65 and over for the year determined under subparagraph (A), in lieu of the monthly actuarial rate for such enrollees for the year determined according to paragraph (1), when determining the monthly premium rate for the year”
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Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 11, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mar 11, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Related News

4 articles

Vermont Business Magazine·about 1 year ago

Sanders, Doggett introduce bills to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing

Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Lloyd Doggett introduced bicameral legislation to expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care. The bill covers dentures starting in 2026, with comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing services beginning in 2027 for 68 million seniors.

Radio Free·about 1 year ago

Senator Sanders, Rep. Doggett Prove Their Leadership By Improving Traditional Medicare

Sen. Bernie Sanders released the Medicare Dental, Hearing and Vision Expansion Act on the Senate floor. The bill aims to improve traditional Medicare by adding essential services that are currently excluded, ensuring enrollees can access dentures, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.

L+

Morningstar·27 days ago

The government is trying to rein in Medicare Advantage costs. Will it work?

As CMS proposes 2027 payment rates for Medicare Advantage, the focus shifts to the 'enhanced benefits' like dental, vision, and hearing that often drive enrollment. Traditional Medicare's lack of these benefits remains a key point of contention in the debate over program costs.