Why doesn't Medicare pay for dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses?

September 20, 2009 by admin

Unfortunately, the Medicare program does not cover routine dental care, hearing aids or eyeglasses for they are statutorily excluded from coverage. It would take an act of Congress to change the national coverage decision to not cover dental care, hearing aids, and eyeglasses. There are a few exceptions to the statutory exclusion for dental care: 1) A non-covered dental service MAY be covered if it is: - The result of a covered dental service, - A necessary part of the same covered dental service, and - Performed by the same Medicare approved dentist. 2) Extraction of teeth to prepare the jaw for radiation treatment secondary to cancer; and 3) Dental examination prior to kidney transplantation.