Medicare Expansion Kicks Off 2026: New Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefits Start Phased Rollout

The Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2025 is the big one—the bill that finally tackles the missing pieces of Medicare coverage that seniors and people with disabilities have been asking about for years. Starting January 1, 2026, this legislation adds comprehensive dental, vision, and hearing care to Medicare, a major shift that will affect millions of people and change how they budget for healthcare.

The Dental Catch-Up: Phased Payments and Low-Income Boosts

For dental care, the bill breaks coverage into two buckets: preventative and everything else. Starting in 2026, Medicare will cover 100% of preventative services, which means routine cleanings (up to two per year) and exams (up to two per year) are fully paid for. That’s a huge win for maintaining oral health. However, the coverage for basic and major procedures—think root canals, crowns, and fillings—is phased in slowly. If you need a major procedure in 2026, Medicare pays 0%. That coverage jumps to 30% in 2027, 60% in 2028, and finally hits 80% in 2029. If you qualify as a low-income individual, you get a much better deal: 80% coverage for all non-preventative dental services starting in 2027, which means faster access to necessary care.

This phased rollout means that while the benefit is official in 2026, anyone needing serious dental work that year will still be paying out-of-pocket, which is a key detail for budgeting. The bill also covers dentures, paying 80% starting in 2027, but limits replacement to one set every five years. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has the power to set “other reasonable limits” or require prior authorization for any of these services, which is where things could get complicated down the road if they decide to tighten up access.

Eye and Ear Care: 80% Coverage with Limits

Vision and hearing benefits are coming in hot in 2026, generally covered at 80%. For vision, you get one routine eye exam every 12 months. When it comes to hardware, Medicare pays 80% for eyeglasses and contacts, but there are specific dollar caps that will adjust annually for inflation starting in 2027. For example, the payment for lenses is capped at $100 per year, and frames at $100 every two years. If you want those designer frames that cost more, you’ll be paying the difference above the cap, even with the 80% coverage. Low vision devices are also covered at 80%.

For hearing, the bill covers audiology services and hearing aids. Medicare will pay 80% of the cost for hearing aids, but only one aid per ear every 48 months (four years). If you’ve ever had to buy hearing aids, you know they are expensive, so 80% coverage is a massive financial relief. Just like with dental care, the HHS Secretary can set extra limits or require prior approval for these services, and they can waive the frequency limits if necessary for an individual, which adds a layer of flexibility.

Cutting the Red Tape for Devices

One interesting technical change is the removal of competitive bidding requirements for dentures, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and hearing aids. This means Medicare won't use the competitive acquisition program to set payment rates for these items. This move is generally seen as favorable to providers and manufacturers, as it stabilizes reimbursement rates and might encourage broader participation, ensuring more suppliers are willing to provide these devices to Medicare beneficiaries.

Finally, the bill adds an important structural change: it mandates that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)—the group that makes national recommendations on health screenings and services—must now include at least one oral health professional. This ensures that dental health gets a seat at the table when major preventive care policies are being decided, a long-overdue recognition that oral health is critical to overall health.