More than 100 House lawmakers say the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has the power now to expand dental coverage.
The letter released to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSur, comes as federal efforts to expand coverage of hearing and dental benefits to all Medicare beneficiaries have stalled in Congress. Lawmakers say the agency can expand the definition of “medically necessary” dental care that Medicare can currently cover.
“Our nation’s seniors deserve so much more than half measures and half health,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, one of the leaders of the effort. “An overly narrow and outmoded interpretation of the Medicare statute must be updated to account for medical evidence of oral health’s strong connection to overall health.”
Traditional Medicare does not cover dental or vision, but beneficiaries can either buy a supplemental plan or a Medicare Advantage plan to get such benefits.
However, CMS allows coverage of dental services that are an “integral part either of a covered procedure” like a jaw reconstruction. Medicare will also pay for extractions in preparation for radiation treatment on the jaw, the letter to CMS said. Read more.
