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Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025

3/31/2025, 2:46 PM

Summary of Bill S 939

Bill 119 s 939, also known as the Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing Benefit Act of 2021, aims to expand Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing care for beneficiaries. The bill seeks to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide these essential services under the Medicare program.

Currently, Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care, leaving many older Americans without access to these important health services. This bill seeks to address this gap in coverage by ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the care they need to maintain their overall health and well-being.

If passed, this legislation would provide coverage for preventive and diagnostic dental services, as well as vision exams, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. By expanding Medicare coverage to include these services, the bill aims to improve the quality of life for millions of older Americans who rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs. Supporters of the bill argue that providing coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care under Medicare is essential for promoting the overall health and well-being of older Americans. They believe that access to these services is crucial for maintaining good health and quality of life as individuals age. Opponents of the bill may argue that expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing care could be costly and may lead to increased healthcare spending. However, supporters of the bill maintain that the long-term benefits of providing these essential services to Medicare beneficiaries outweigh the potential costs. Overall, Bill 119 s 939 represents a significant step towards improving access to essential healthcare services for older Americans. By expanding Medicare coverage to include dental, vision, and hearing care, this legislation has the potential to positively impact the health and well-being of millions of Medicare beneficiaries across the country.

Congressional Summary of S 939

Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025

This bill provides for coverage of dental, hearing, and vision care under Medicare.

Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of

  • dental and oral health services, including cleanings, treatments, and dentures;
  • hearing aids and related services, including aural rehabilitation services; and 
  • vision services, including routine eye exams and eyeglasses.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must set a fee schedule for dental and oral health services based on the national median fees for similar services, and it must phase in adjustments to premiums for Medicare medical services to account for coverage of dental and oral health services over a three-year period beginning in 2028. Payment to providers of hearing aid services must be made on an assignment-related basis; payment to providers of vision services must be made under the physician fee schedule.

The bill provides funds for FY2025 for the CMS to implement the bill's changes.

Current Status of Bill S 939

Bill S 939 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 11, 2025. Bill S 939 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on March 11, 2025.  Bill S 939's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. as of March 11, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 939

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
1
Total Number of Cosponsors
7
Democrat Cosponsors
7
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 939

Primary Policy Focus

Health

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 939

A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for dental and oral health care, hearing care, and vision care under the Medicare program.
A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for dental and oral health care, hearing care, and vision care under the Medicare program.

Comments

Clay Baker profile image

Clay Baker

576

11 months ago

I can't believe this new bill is trying to expand Medicare to cover dental, hearing, and vision services. It's just going to cost taxpayers more money and lead to government overreach in our healthcare system. We already have enough government involvement in our lives, we don't need them controlling our healthcare too. This bill is just going to make things worse for everyone in the long run.

Macy Walter profile image

Macy Walter

666

11 months ago

I don't think this is a good idea. It seems like it could cause more problems than it solves.