Does Medicare Cover Dentures?

Although Medicare covers a broad array of health care services for seniors, Medicare does not cover the cost of dentures and other routine dental services.

Medicare does help cover some emergency dental care. If you require dental care in a hospital, you will typically be responsible for paying out-of-pocket Medicare costs for your covered care.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plan can help pay for your Medicare deductibles, copays, coinsurance and more if you receive dental care that is covered by Original Medicare.

While Original Medicare doesn't cover dentures, it may cover emergency dental care in some circumstances.

Original Medicare Helps Cover Emergency Dental Care

Although Medicare does not cover dentures and routine dental services, Medicare Part A does cover some dental emergencies that require immediate care in a hospital. 

According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare will cover the following dental services:

• Dental care that is a necessary part of a covered procedure, such as jaw reconstruction after an accident.

• Tooth extractions that are required in preparation for radiation treatment involving the jaw.

• Oral exams before a kidney transplant or a heart valve replacement

But keep in mind that you are still responsible for your Medicare out-of-pocket costs, which include a $1,632 Part A deductible per benefit period in 2024. This deductible needs to be met before Medicare Part A will begin paying its share of the costs.

Permanent dentures can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000, and denture plates can run upward of $10,000.¹

Some Medicare Advantage Plans May Cover Dentures

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans are sold by private insurance companies and replace your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) benefits.

Many Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits that aren't covered by Original Medicare. Some plans include coverage for routine dental care, and they may include allowances for dentures.

Medigap Plans Can Help Pay for Medicare-Covered Dental Care

If Medicare Part A and/or Part B cover your emergency dental care, you will typically be responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs such as Medicare deductibles, copays, coinsurance and more.

To help cover some of these out-of-pocket costs, you can purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, which helps close the gaps in coverage left by Medicare.

However, Medicare Supplement Insurance does not cover routine dental costs or dentures.

Learn more about common procedures that medicare covers.

A licensed agent can help you decide on a Medicare option that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.

¹ Nowak, S. How much do dentures cost? (Nov. 2, 2019). Authority Dental. Retrieved from www.authoritydental.org/how-much-do-dentures-cost.

Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.