Original Medicare does not cover routine dental cleanings, fillings, dentures, eye exams for glasses or hearing aids. For many retirees these are the costs they notice most, because they are frequent and predictable.
There are two main routes. Many Medicare Advantage plans in Tucson include dental, vision and hearing benefits. If you prefer Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, stand-alone dental, vision and hearing (DVH) policies fill the gap for a separate monthly premium.
The details matter: annual maximums, waiting periods for major work, network dentists, and whether frames and lenses come with an allowance or a copay. We look at the work you expect in the next year and pick coverage that actually pays for it.
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What is included
The coverage you can expect. Exact benefits depend on the plan and the insurance company you choose.
Preventive dental
Two cleanings, exams and X-rays each year, usually at no cost in network.
Basic and major dental
Fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and dentures, often with waiting periods.
Routine eye exam
One exam per year to update your prescription.
Eyewear allowance
Money toward frames and lenses or contacts every one or two years.
Hearing exam
An annual hearing test with a network audiologist.
Hearing aids
Allowances or set copays for hearing aids, often every three years.
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How we help you choose
List what you expect
Upcoming dental work, a new pair of glasses, or a hearing aid replacement.
Compare two routes
Advantage extras versus a stand-alone DVH plan, in total yearly dollars.
Check your providers
We confirm your dentist, optometrist or audiologist is in network before you enroll.
Why people choose it
Preventive dental at little or no cost
Allowances for glasses and contacts
Hearing aid savings
Works with any Medicare setup
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Costs, and what moves them
Sample figures to help you plan. Your advisor confirms the exact amounts for your age, ZIP code and plan.
Sample costs for Dental, vision and hearing. Illustrative only, not a quote.
Cost
Sample amount
Good to know
Stand-alone DVH premium
$28 - $65 / month
Sample Tucson range
Dental annual maximum
$1,000 - $3,000
Varies by plan
Eyewear allowance
$150 - $300
Every 1 to 2 years
Hearing aid copay
$499 - $1,299 per aid
Through plan vendors (sample)
Factors that change your price
How much major dental work you expect
Waiting periods on crowns, bridges and dentures
Whether you want to keep your current dentist
How often you replace glasses or hearing aids
Figures are illustrative samples and not a quote. Medicare amounts change every January.
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Dental, vision and hearing questions we hear
Original Medicare does not. Some Advantage plans and stand-alone dental plans cover implants up to an annual maximum, sometimes after a waiting period.
Stand-alone dental, vision and hearing policies can usually be purchased year-round. Advantage plan extras can only be added during enrollment periods.
Original Medicare covers diagnostic hearing exams ordered by a doctor but not hearing aids. Many Advantage plans and DVH policies include hearing aid benefits.
