Oral Health Hub

Medicare covers a lot of your health care needs, but Original Medicare does not cover most dental expenses.¹ With Medicare, dental coverage works differently than you might expect. Here’s what’s covered, what isn't covered and how you can get coverage for what Medicare may not cover.
 

Which dental treatments does Medicare cover?

Medicare may cover medical services related to dental care in certain situations, but usually not the dental treatment itself. Routine services like cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures and other common dental work aren't included.¹
 
There are limited exceptions. Medicare may cover certain dental services when they're part of necessary medical treatment rather than standalone dental care. These cases usually involve dental work connected to a larger medical issue.
 

Medicare and dental coverage: what Part A and Part B cover (and what they don’t)

Many people assume Medicare handles dental care like it handles doctor visits or hospital stays. Parts A and B do focus on medical services, but usually not routine dental work. 

Here's what's typically not included:
 

• Routine cleanings and exams
• Fillings and extractions
• Root canals
• Dentures and bridges
• Crowns
 
   

Does Medicare cover dental in specific situations? Yes, the exception is when dental care is part of treating a medical condition. Part A may cover inpatient hospital services connected to dental treatment in specific circumstances when hospitalization is required because of your medical condition or the severity of the procedure. Part B may cover certain dental services if they’re needed to treat an oral infection or complication before or during covered cancer treatment.

Before you schedule any treatment, ask your provider how they'll bill the service. They should be able to tell you if it’s a Medicare-covered dental procedure or if you'll pay out of pocket.
 

Does Medicare offer dental coverage through Medicare Advantage (Part C)?

Many Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits as an added feature. However, what's included varies significantly from plan to plan, so review the details carefully. When comparing plans, pay attention to:
 

• Covered services
• Dentist network
• Costs
• Annual maximums
• Waiting periods
• Prior authorization
 
   

These factors determine whether the dental Medicare coverage you're considering is worth the cost.
 

What are Medicare-covered dental services?

What counts as "covered" depends on which type of Medicare coverage you have. Medicare (Parts A and B) rarely pays for dental services, while dental with Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits with different rules.
 

Here’s what might be covered in certain situations:² 

• Inpatient hospital services connected to dental treatment in limited circumstances
• Procedures needed before cancer treatment
• Jaw surgery for fractures or tumors
• Dental exams before kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant, or heart valve replacement

   

Check your plan documents or contact your insurance provider to confirm coverage before scheduling treatment.