Terry Turner, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Terry Turner

    Terry Turner

    Senior Financial Writer and Financial Wellness Facilitator

    Terry Turner has more than 35 years of journalism experience, including covering benefits, spending and congressional action on federal programs such as Social Security and Medicare. He is a Certified Financial Wellness Facilitator through the National Wellness Institute and the Foundation for Financial Wellness and a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE®).

    Read More
  • Edited By
    Matt Mauney
    Matt Mauney, Senior Editor for RetireGuide

    Matt Mauney

    Financial Editor

    Matt Mauney is an award-winning journalist, editor, writer and content strategist with more than 15 years of professional experience working for nationally recognized newspapers and digital brands. He has contributed content for ChicagoTribune.com, LATimes.com, The Hill and the American Cancer Society, and he was part of the Orlando Sentinel digital staff that was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2017.

    Read More
  • Reviewed By
    Aflak Chowdhury
    Aflak Chowdhury

    Aflak Chowdhury

    Medicare Expert

    Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market.

    Read More
  • Published: January 11, 2021
  • Updated: October 13, 2023
  • 6 min read time
  • This page features 8 Cited Research Articles
Fact Checked
Fact Checked

A licensed insurance professional reviewed this page for accuracy and compliance with the CMS Medicare Communications and Marketing Guidelines (MCMGs) and Medicare Advantage (MA/MAPD) and/or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) carriers’ guidelines.

Cite Us
How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Turner, T. (2023, October 13). Does Medicare Cover Dentures? RetireGuide.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/dentures/

MLA Turner, Terry. "Does Medicare Cover Dentures?" RetireGuide.com, 13 Oct 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/dentures/.

Chicago Turner, Terry. "Does Medicare Cover Dentures?" RetireGuide.com. Last modified October 13, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/medicare/services/dental/dentures/.

Why Trust RetireGuide.com
Why You Can Trust Us

Content created by RetireGuide and sponsored by our partners.

Key Principles

RetireGuide’s mission is to provide seniors with resources that will help them reach important financial decisions that affect their retirement. Our goal is to arm our readers with knowledge that will lead to a healthy and financially sound retirement.

We’re dedicated to providing thoroughly researched Medicare information that guides you toward making the best possible health decisions for you and your family.

RetireGuide LLC has partnerships with Senior Market Sales (SMS) and GoHealth.

Our partners are able to be reached through the phone numbers and/or forms provided on our website.

The content and tools created by RetireGuide adhere to strict Medicare and editorial guidelines to ensure quality and transparency.

Editorial Independence

While the experts from our partners are available to help you navigate various Medicare plans, RetireGuide retains complete editorial control over the information it publishes.

We operate independently from our partners, which allows the award-winning RetireGuide team to provide you with unbiased information.

Visitors can trust our inflexibility regarding our editorial autonomy. We do not allow our partnership to influence RetireGuide’s editorial content whatsoever.
Denture Coverage at a Glance
Medicare PlanDentures Coverage
Part A (Inpatient)Dentures are not covered in most cases.
Part B (Outpatient)Dentures are not covered in most cases.
Part C (Medicare Advantage)Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer options to help pay for dentures.
Part D (Prescription Drugs)N/A
Supplemental InsuranceMedigap does not cover dentures.

Do Any Medicare Plans Cover Dentures?

Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B — typically does not cover dentures or other dental services.

Some Medicare Advantage plans and other Medicare-related insurance or savings plans may offer options to help pay for dentures or other dental services.

Medicare Plans and Denture Coverage
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A does not cover dentures. It will cover dental services necessary as part of a covered procedure. These exceptions include jaw reconstruction following an accident, tooth extractions in preparation for radiation treatment of cancers involving the jaw, and dental examinations (but not treatment) before a kidney transplant or heart valve replacement if done by a hospital.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B does not cover dentures or routine dental services. It will pay for the same exceptions as Medicare Part A if the procedures are performed by a physician in a facility other than a hospital.
Medicare Advantage
Some Medicare Advantage plans may partly cover the cost of dentures. There are hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans available in the United States and benefits vary from plan to plan. You should ask your plan administrator what specific dental services your plan covers and what your share of the cost will be.
Medigap
Medigap — also known as Medicare supplemental insurance — does not cover dentures. Medigap pays out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare-approved items, treatments or services. Since Original Medicare does not cover dentures and most dental services, Medigap will not pay for these services either. But you may be able to pay extra premiums for additional dental coverage.
Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA)
You can purchase dentures with your Medicare MSA plan. A Medicare Medical Savings Account is managed by a private insurance company. It includes a high deductible and a bank account where you deposit savings to be used for medical expenses. However, the denture costs won’t count toward your deductible.
Have you selected your 2024 Medicare plan?
Maximize your Medicare savings by connecting with a licensed insurance agent. Annual Enrollment is open until December 7th.

Medicare Advantage Plans and Dentures

Some Medicare Advantage plans will cover dentures. But when shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan, you should consider your potential dental needs in the future and ask what specific dental services the plan covers.

Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurers that contract with Medicare. These plans are required by law to cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they may include additional benefits such as dental, vision and hearing services.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 94% of Medicare Advantage plans offered some type of dental coverage in 2021. While 86% of those plans offer extensive benefits — dentures, oral surgery, fillings — 14% of them offer only preventive coverage — oral exams, cleanings and dental X-rays. Most cap how much they are willing to pay at around $1,000 to $1,500.

It’s important to ask about and review dental coverage if you select a Medicare Advantage plan to know exactly what’s covered.

Dentures can cost anywhere from $300 per plate for low-cost dentures to $8,000 for a full set of premium plates, according to denture adhesive maker Fixodent.

Dental Services Medicare Advantage Plans May Cover
  • Dentures, crowns, bridges, implants and other prosthodontics
  • Cleanings
  • Dental diagnostic services
  • Dental X-rays
  • Fillings and other restorative services
  • Oral examinations
  • Root canal treatment (endodontics)
  • Tooth extractions
  • Treatment of gum disease and oral inflammation (periodontics)

It’s important to review your Medicare Advantage plan to see what dental services are covered and how much you will have to pay out-of-pocket.

You may have to pay half the cost of the dental services you receive. Many Medicare Advantage plans may only cover Medicare-approved services — putting  you on the hook for 100 percent of dental services.

Alternative Options to Pay for Dentures

You can buy senior dental insurance from private insurers to help cover the cost of dentures if you are on Medicare. There are also several free and low-cost dental care options to reduce your out-of-pocket costs or to help you if you have limited income and resources.

Options for Dentures and Dental Services When on Medicare
Dental Insurance
Affordable private dental insurance is available through many major health plans. They generally cover preventive services and cover a portion of dentures and other major dental services.
Community Health Clinics
Local community or senior centers can often connect seniors with dental services for people with limited income and financial resources. You can use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Center finder tool to locate a clinic near you.
Dental Lifeline Network
The Dental Lifeline Network is a community service project of the American Dental Association. It provides free dental treatment for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Dental Schools
Dental schools offer low-cost dental services that allow dental students to hone their skills. The American Dental Association can help you find a program in your area.
Medicaid
Dentures and other dental services may be covered by Medicaid if you qualify. You can contact your state Medicaid office to determine your eligibility and what dental services are covered in your state.
PACE
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — or PACE for short — is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in their communities instead of having to move into a nursing home or other facility.
Read About Finding a Dentist That Takes Medicare

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare's Denture Coverage

How much do dentures cost with Medicare?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medigap supplement insurance plans do not cover dentures at all. Medicare beneficiaries have the option of using a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) to help pay for dentures.
Do any Medicare plans cover dentures?
You may be able to find a Medicare Advantage plan that partly covers the cost of dentures. The majority of these plans have a maximum dental coverage amount ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per year.
How much do dentures cost with Medicaid?

Individual states run their own Medicaid programs, so dentures are covered in certain areas. These states will cover full or partial dentures:

  • Alaska
  • Idaho
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
Last Modified: October 13, 2023

8 Cited Research Articles

  1. Haupt, A. (2022, August 16). Does Medicare Cover Dental Costs? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/does-medicare-cover-dental/
  2. Freed, M. et al. (2021, July 28). Medicare and Dental Coverage: A Closer Look. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medicare-and-dental-coverage-a-closer-look/
  3. Miller, M. (2018, November 15). How U.S. Seniors on Medicare Can Bridge the Gap in Dental Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-column-miller-medicare-dental/how-u-s-seniors-on-medicare-can-bridge-the-gap-in-dental-insurance-idUSKCN1NK1EG
  4. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2013, November 19). Medicare Dental Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/medicaredentalcoverage
  5. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Dental Services. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/dental-services
  6. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). PACE. Retrieved from https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/different-types-of-medicare-health-plans/pace
  7. National Council on Aging. (n.d.). Medicare and Dental Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/article/medicare-and-dental-coverage
  8. AARP. (n.d.). Does Medicare Cover Dentures? https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/does-medicare-cover-dentures/