Dental, Vision & Hearing

Here at Garden State Life and Health Insurance Partners, we help you plan for all your health needs.

Medicare plans offer valuable coverage for many health-related needs. However, standard Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care is often limited. For example, Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing services—meaning cleanings, eye exams, hearing aids, dentures, glasses, and fillings typically fall outside of coverage.

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may cover certain emergency dental services if they're provided as part of a hospital stay. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) may cover limited vision or hearing services when medically necessary, such as:



• Eye exams for diabetic retinopathy
  
  
• Eye exams for glaucoma
  
  
• Cataract surgery and corrective lenses post-surgery
  
  
• Diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by a doctor
  
  

Routine care, such as annual cleanings, eye exams, or hearing tests, often requires additional coverage.

Options for Additional Dental, Vision & Hearing Coverage

To fill the gaps in Original Medicare, beneficiaries can explore several coverage options for dental, vision, and hearing care:

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer bundled benefits that include dental, vision, and hearing coverage. These may cover:

• Routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings, and dentures
  
  
• Vision care like eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses
  
  
• Hearing exams and hearing aids
  
  

Coverage varies by plan, so it's important to review the specific benefits and provider networks.

Standalone Plans

You can purchase separate, standalone dental, vision, and hearing insurance plans if they are not included in your Medicare Advantage plan. These allow for more flexibility and tailored coverage options.

Dental, Vision & Hearing Discount Plans

While not insurance, these membership-based plans provide discounted services through participating providers. They can be cost-effective for routine services but do not offer full insurance protections or catastrophic coverage.

What to Consider When Choosing a Dental, Vision & Hearing Plan

Selecting the right plan depends on your current and future health needs. Here are important factors to consider:



• Evaluate Your Needs: Assess current health issues and anticipated future care. Think about dental conditions, vision impairments, or hearing loss that may require attention.
  
  
• Review Benefits: Check what services are included—like dentures, glasses, or hearing aids—and ensure your preferred providers are in-network.
  
  
• Compare Costs: Look at premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums. Make sure the total cost fits your healthcare budget.
  
  

Provider Access: Make sure the plan allows you to access care locally, especially for services like hearing aid fittings or dental surgeries.

When to Enroll in Dental, Vision & Hearing Plans

You can add, change, or drop dental, vision, and hearing coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7. Certain special enrollment periods may apply for qualifying events, such as moving or losing employer coverage.