Summary

Expands Medicare to cover dental/oral health, vision, and hearing services starting January 1, 2026. It defines what each benefit includes, sets how Medicare will pay for them (with a phase‑in for dental), and places reasonable limits on how often certain services or items can be covered. The Secretary of Health and Human Services may set additional limits, require prior authorization, and adjust coverage to align with preventive care recommendations. The bill also updates Medicare rules so eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low‑vision devices are treated like durable medical equipment, makes a technical fix to existing law, and adds an oral health professional to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on a future date tied to enactment.

Key Points

• Adds Medicare coverage for dental/oral health, vision, and hearing services.
• Dental coverage phases in Medicare’s share of payment and sets separate rules for dentures.
• Sets frequency limits on certain exams, services, and items; some limits can be waived for individuals.
• Allows prior authorization and other limits to manage utilization and costs.
• Aligns vision and hearing coverage adjustments with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.
• Classifies eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low‑vision devices as durable medical equipment under Medicare.
• Covers hearing services and hearing aids, with defined payment rules and limits.
• Empowers the Secretary of HHS to refine coverage details and frequency limits over time.
• Includes a technical correction to existing Social Security Act wording.
• Adds an oral health professional to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on a date tied to enactment.

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