Dental services
Medicare doesn't cover most dental care, procedures or supplies, such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, dental plates, or other dental devices. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) will pay for certain dental services that you get when you're in a hospital. Part A can pay for inpatient hospital care if you need to have emergency or complicated dental procedures, even though the dental care isn't covered.
Note: Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer extra dental benefits. Be sure to contact the plan for more information.
Eye exams and eyeglasses/contact lenses
Eye exams
Medicare doesn't cover routine eye exams (sometimes called "eye refractions") for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers some preventive and diagnostic eye exams:
- Yearly eye exam (covers an exam by an eye doctor if you have diabetic retinopathy)
- Glaucoma tests (covers people at high risk for glaucoma)
- Macular degeneration (covers some diagnostic tests and treatment)
Eyeglasses and contact lenses
Generally, Medicare doesn't cover eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, following cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps pay for corrective lenses (one pair of eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses).
Note: Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses provided by a supplier enrolled in Medicare, no matter who submits the claim (you or your supplier).
All people with Part B are covered. Your costs in Original Medicare are:
- You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for one pair of eyeglasses or one set of contact lenses after each cataract surgery with an intraocular lens.
- Medicare will only pay for contact lenses or eyeglasses from a supplier enrolled in Medicare, no matter who submits the claim (you or your supplier).
- You pay any additional costs for upgraded frames.
- You pay 100% for non-covered services, including most eyeglasses or contact lenses. The Part B deductible applies.
Note: Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra vision benefits. Be sure to contact the plan for more information.
Hearing exams and hearing aids
Medicare doesn't cover routine hearing exams, hearing aids, or exams for fitting hearing aids. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders these tests to see if you need medical treatment. All people with Part B are covered.
Your costs in Original Medicare:
- You pay 100% for routine exams and hearing aids.
- You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the doctor's services for covered exams, and the Part B deductible applies.
- In a hospital outpatient setting, you also pay the hospital a copayment.
Note: Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra hearing benefits. Be sure to contact the plan for more information.