HR-9832 — Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026

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Medicare would cover dental care starting in 2028 — its share of bigger work rising from zero to 80 percent.

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Medicare coverage for dental care — starts January 1, 2028

Medicare law now bars payment for most care of the teeth. Part B would add cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, and emergency care for care given on or after January 1, 2028.

Medicare coverage for cleanings and exams — two of each a year

Routine cleanings, exams, and x-rays would count as preventive care, so they skip the slow phase-in for other dental work. Medicare would pay for up to two cleanings and two exams every 12 months.

Medicare's share of bigger dental work — rises from 0% to 80%

For fillings, crowns, root canals, and other larger work, Medicare would pay nothing in the first year. Its share would rise by 10 points a year until it reaches 80 percent, leaving you the other 20 percent.

Medicare's share for low-income enrollees — 80% from the start

People who qualify for the Part D low-income subsidy, called Extra Help, would skip the phase-in. Medicare would pay 80 percent of their bigger dental bills from the first year.

Medicare help with dentures — one set every five years

Full and partial dentures would be covered, on the same rising schedule as other big work. Medicare would pay for one full upper and one full lower set, and one partial set of each, every five years.

Approval paperwork before some dental work — agency may require it

Health officials could set other limits on dental coverage, including sign-off before some work is paid for. They could also lift the yearly and five-year limits for people who need more care.

More about this bill

If you have Medicare, dental care would be covered for the first time, starting January 1, 2028. Cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, pulled teeth, root canals, crowns, dentures, and emergency care would all count. Medicare law today bars payment for most care of the teeth. Medicare would pay for two cleanings and two exams a year as preventive care. For bigger work and dentures, Medicare's share would start at zero. It would then rise 10 points a year until it reaches 80 percent. People who qualify for Extra Help with drug costs would get the 80 percent share right away. Health officials could add limits, such as approval before some work. For the lowest-income enrollees, federal money would pay the full dental cost that state Medicaid programs now share. A dental expert would also join the panel that rates preventive care.

Congressional Summary

Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental and oral health services, including routine diagnostic and preventive services, basic and major dental services, and emergency care; dental prostheses are also covered. Currently, such services are excluded from Medicare coverage.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in House
Action Date: 2026-07-22
Date Added: 2026-10-06
Source: Congress.gov →

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