Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021

Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021

This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental, vision, and hearing care. Coverage includes (1) routine dental cleanings and exams, basic and major dental services, emergency dental care, and dentures; (2) routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses; and (3) routine hearing exams, hearing aids, and exams for hearing aids. With respect to such care, the bill establishes special payment rules, limitations, and coinsurance requirements.

Bill 117 HR 4311, also known as the Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021, aims to expand Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits for eligible beneficiaries. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 14, 2021, by Representative Lloyd Doggett from Texas.

If passed, this legislation would provide Medicare beneficiaries with coverage for routine dental care, such as cleanings, fillings, and extractions, as well as coverage for vision services, including eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. Additionally, the bill would cover hearing aids and other hearing-related services for eligible beneficiaries.

The goal of the Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021 is to improve the overall health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries by ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services that are currently not covered under traditional Medicare plans. Proponents of the bill argue that expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits would help prevent and treat common health issues related to these areas, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for older Americans. Opponents of the bill may argue that expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing benefits could be costly and may require increased funding or changes to the current Medicare program. However, supporters of the legislation believe that the long-term benefits of providing these essential healthcare services to Medicare beneficiaries outweigh any potential costs. Overall, the Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021 seeks to address gaps in Medicare coverage and improve the quality of care for older Americans by expanding access to important dental, vision, and hearing services. The bill is currently under review in the House of Representatives, and its future progress will depend on the support it receives from lawmakers and stakeholders.