Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?

Original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental, vision or hearing care. Many Medicare Advantage plans do, and some add gym memberships or an allowance for over-the-counter items. Benefits differ widely between plans.

More detail

Say dental care is your main concern. One Advantage plan might cover only check-ups and cleanings. Another might cover more. Both can say "dental included."

That's the common mistake: choosing a plan because of its list of extras without reading the details. These benefits are generally limited, can change from year to year, and some plans charge extra for them. Some plans also offer things like rides to doctor visits, or added benefits for people with certain chronic conditions, but you may only find out if you qualify after you join.

Also remember: a Medicare Supplement generally doesn't cover dental, vision or hearing aids either.

What to have ready: • Your dentist and eye doctor, so we can check networks • What you expect to need this year, like glasses, hearing aids or dental work

Tell me which extras matter most to you, and I'll show you how the plans compare.