Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2021

Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2021

This bill expands Medicare coverage to include dentures and dental and oral health services, in accordance with specified limitations. Covered services include basic and major treatments (as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) as well as specified preventive and screening services.

Bill 117 HR 4650, also known as the Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2021, aims to expand Medicare coverage to include dental services for beneficiaries. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 14, 2021, by Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán from California.

Currently, Medicare does not cover routine dental care, leaving many seniors without access to important dental services. The Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2021 seeks to address this gap by providing coverage for preventive and basic dental services, such as cleanings, exams, fillings, and extractions.

The bill also includes provisions to improve access to dental care for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. It establishes a grant program to support dental clinics that serve underserved populations and requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop and implement outreach programs to educate beneficiaries about their dental coverage options. If passed, the Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2021 would represent a significant step towards improving the overall health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries by ensuring they have access to essential dental services. The bill has garnered bipartisan support and is currently under consideration in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.