Medicare Will Cover Dental, Vision and Hearing Treatment: New Democratic Proposal

Medicare is a health insurance program that many older Americans, low-income people, and immigrants rely on. It will cover dental, vision and hearing services. The publication told in more detail CNBC.

Photo: Shutterstock

A proposal to expand the range of services was included in a plan to spend $ 3,5 trillion over the next decade on climate change, health financing and family assistance programs that are part of the economic agenda of US President Joe Biden. While it is not certain that everything in the draft budget will go through the full Congressional process, Medicare advocates hope the fringe benefits coverage can be realized.

“This will make a big difference for the Medicare program and its beneficiaries,” said David Lipschutz, deputy director and senior policy attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “If Congress adds the proposed benefits, it will fill significant gaps in the program since its inception.”

About 62,7 million people are enrolled in Medicare, the majority of whom are 65 years of age or older. They rely on it as their primary health insurance. The program was created under Congress law in 1965 under President Lyndon Johnson, Lipschutz said, and largely reflected the health insurance standards of the time, which did not include broad coverage of dental care, vision and hearing care.

On the subject: Five categories of medical expenses that Medicare does not cover

“But as the health care system has evolved, Medicare has often fallen behind,” he said.

Original Medicare is made up of Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (outpatient coverage). Except for limited exceptions, there is no coverage for dental, vision, or hearing services, which may result in beneficiaries abandoning treatment.

“It would be a significant improvement to provide coverage for people who often go without the care they need because they can't afford it, and for those who pay a lot for the care they need,” said Trisha Neumann, Kaiser's chief executive.

Some beneficiaries get limited coverage for dental, vision, and hearing care if they choose to get Part A and B benefits from the Advantage Plan (Part C), which often includes these additional services. Only about 40% of recipients are enrolled in Advantage plans.

However, Lipschutz said additional coverage is usually not comprehensive. On the other hand, if extended benefits were required under the original Medicare program, however generous they were, they would become standard benefits in the Advantage Plan.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

“We hope this will expand benefits for all recipients,” Lipschutz said.

While no details have been released on how the extended coverage will be financed, Biden has proposed higher taxes for the wealthy and for corporations.

The Senate Democratic statement also contains little information on the proposed changes, although other attempts to expand Medicare coverage may provide some clues.

The House bill, presented by Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas, will include dentures, preventive and emergency dental care, refractive eye exams, glasses and hearing aids.

The expanded coverage was included in a broader health care law passed by the House of Representatives in 2019 but not passed by the Senate. Under this proposal, beneficiaries will pay the standard 20% for dental coverage. Basic treatments (eg bridges, crowns, root canals) would be more expensive. Dentures would also be covered within certain limits. Among other things, the program was to include routine eye and hearing exams, as well as hearing aids, contact lenses and glasses.

Read also on ForumDaily:

What is wrong with American medicine: the opinion of a Russian-speaking immigrant

The question to ask in the hospital so as not to run into a huge bill

Five common misconceptions about green cards

How does the pension system in the US

Where to find inexpensive and even free dental care in the USA

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.