Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer dental coverage as an additional benefit.
According to the nonprofit KFF, nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries did not have dental coverage in 2019. At the same time, 47% of Medicare beneficiaries had not had a dental visit for more than a year.
While these numbers may have changed over the past few years, dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries can still be difficult to obtain. They may also have to pay higher costs for care due to lack of comprehensive coverage.
KFF notes that in 2019, 94% of individuals with Medicare Advantage (Part C) had a plan that included dental coverage. By 2024, the percentage of Medicare Advantage plans offering dental coverage had risen to 97%.
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare (parts A and B) that is offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare. However, these plans also typically offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, including dental coverage.
The dental coverage offered can vary by insurance provider and area. Plans may offer:
- routine check-ups
- cleanings
- restorative services
Individuals can check with their insurance provider to see what dental coverage options they may have. They can also find plans available in their area using the Medicare online search tool.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient care and services at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and hospices.
Since Part A covers inpatient hospital care, it will cover dental care that may be required while a person is in the hospital. This may be due to an underlying health condition or the severity of the procedure.
Cost
The individual is responsible for 100% of any noncovered services.
For Part A inpatient services, individuals are responsible for paying the deductible and daily coinsurance costs. In 2025, the Part A costs are:
- Deductible: $1,676 per benefit period
- Days 1 to 60: $0 after the deductible is met
- Days 61 to 90: $419 per day
- Days 91 to 150: $838 per day during lifetime reserve days (extra days covered by Medicare, up to 60 days)
- After day 150: all costs
A benefit period begins the day a person is admitted to the hospital and ends after they have not received any inpatient care for 60 days.
Medicare Part B covers various outpatient services, as well as preventive care, home healthcare, and durable medical equipment.
Part B may cover certain dental services that are directly related to a person’s medical conditions or treatments. In these cases, the individual must receive dental services because it is linked to the success of the medical treatment they are receiving.
- treatment for a complication while receiving treatment for head and neck cancer
- oral exam and dental treatment before receiving an organ, bone marrow, or kidney transplant, or a heart valve replacement
- dental procedure, such as a tooth extraction, to treat a mouth infection prior to receiving cancer treatment services like chemotherapy
Cost
Individuals are responsible for meeting the Part B deductible. In 2025, this deductible is $257.
Once they meet the deductible, they are responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved costs for all covered services.
link