How to get dental, vision, and hearing on Medicare

What to Know About Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage on Medicare And

How to Decide If You Need It

If you’ve just started learning about Medicare, you’ve probably heard this little surprise already: Original Medicare doesn’t cover dental, vision, or hearing.

Yep, those important things like dental cleanings, glasses, and hearing aids aren’t part of your basic Medicare benefits. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

I'll walk you through how you can get dental, vision, and hearing benefits while on Medicare, what the options cost, and whether it’s worth it for you.



Your Two Main Options

When you’re on Medicare, you’ve got two main ways to get coverage for dental, vision, and hearing:

1. Stand-alone Plans

These are private insurance plans you buy separately. You can get dental only, or bundle dental with vision and hearing. They’re not tied to Medicare, which means you can sign up anytime of year.

2. Medicare Advantage Plans

These are all-in-one plans offered by private insurance companies. They include your Medicare Parts A and B, prescription coverage, and often throw in extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing. But the extras can vary a lot between plans.

So What Do These Plans Actually Cost?

Here’s a quick price range to help you know what to expect:

• Standalone dental plans with vision and hearing bundled in usually start around $50/month.
• Vision-only plans, like VSP, run around $22/month.
• Medicare Advantage plans often advertise $0 monthly premiums, but some charge $20–$100/month depending on where you live and what extras they include.

And don’t forget, you’ll also be paying copays or coinsurance when you use the plan.  So don’t judge a plan by premium alone.

What to Look for in a Dental Plan

When comparing standalone dental (and bundled) plans, there are five key things to check:

1. Waiting Periods – Most plans make you wait 6–12 months before covering major services like crowns or root canals.
2. Deductibles – Many plans require you to pay a set amount before coverage kicks in.
3. Preventive Coverage – Some plans pay 100% for preventive cleanings and exams, (but some, only a portion).
4. Major Services – Most plans cover about 50% for crowns or dentures, but some go as high as 80%.
5. Annual Benefit Limits – Most plans cap what they’ll pay out in a year.  It could be $1,000, $2,500, or more. Some even offer unlimited coverage.

My Top Standalone Plans Right Now

I’ve done a lot of research to find options that give my clients the most bang for their buck.  Here are three standout plans I currently offer:

1. Manhattan Life – Best for Higher Vision Coverage, and Adequate for Dental.

• Covers dental, vision, and hearing in one policy
• $100 annual deductible
• Preventive starts at 60% and increases over time
• Major services covered up to 80% by year two
• Annual benefit up to $5,000
• Works with any provider, but best with Carrington network
• Around $50/month or more
  

2. Physicians Mutual – Most Popular for Dental Only

• Unlimited annual benefits (yes, really)
• No deductible
• Preventive care covered at 100% in-network
• Major dental covered at 70%
• Vision and hearing available as an add-on, but limited
• Network is Ameritas
• Around $56.50/month
  

3. MetLife (NCD) – Most Affordable Monthly with Reasonable Copays

• $35/month with a $2,500 annual max
• No deductible and no waiting periods
• Uses MetLife’s large network
• Predictable copay-based pricing
• Great for people who want low costs and already see a MetLife dentist

Some Budget-Friendly Alternatives



These aren’t plans I offer, but they’re good options to consider if your dentist is in the right network:

• AARP Delta Dental HMO – Low-cost, good benefits, but limited to a small network.
• DentalPlans.com – Offers discount plans with no waiting periods and reduced prices at the dentist. Runs about $130/year.

What About Medicare Advantage Plans?

Yes, many Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing but here's the catch:

• Dental benefits are often limited to $1,000–$1,500 per year
• Vision may offer $200–$300/year for glasses
• Hearing often includes one exam and a set amount per ear for hearing aids
• Dental networks are usually small

So unless you were already planning to go with an Advantage plan, it’s not a good idea to choose one just for the dental benefits.

Instead, start by figuring out whether Medigap or Advantage is the best fit for your overall health coverage. Then, based on that, decide if you need to add dental, vision, or hearing coverage separately.

So… Is It Worth It?

That depends on you,  your health needs, your financial situation, and your preferences.

Here’s how to start making a decision:

• Ask your dentist what insurance networks they accept
• Think about whether you’d rather pay a little each month or risk a big bill all at once
• If you already have an Advantage plan, check if your dental/vision/hearing benefits are enough or consider adding a standalone plan
• If you’re on Medigap, you’ll need a separate plan or pay out of pocket

If you’re unsure, I can help you figure it out.  I’ll check which plans your dentist accepts and walk you through your options at no cost to you.

Let's Simplify This Together

If dental, vision, or hearing is something you need help with, I’m here. Whether you’re brand new to Medicare or have been on it for years, we’ll figure out the coverage that makes the most sense for you.

Visit  my contact page to check my calendar and book a free consultation.

We'll make sure your plan fits your life, not the other way around.

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