Biden shoots for vision, dental and hearing in Medicare — but what if we don’t see it?
More Americans will get help seeing, hearing and chewing well into old age if an ambitious plan to expand Medicare survives the challenges ahead.
Last week, a group of Democratic senators struck a deal on a $3.5 trillion budget plan that would — among many other things — make vision, hearing and dental coverage a standard part of Medicare for all.
The move would be a massive relief for anyone worried about affording health care later in life, but supporters will need to pull off plenty of tricks to make it happen.
Here’s what the senators have planned, and what you can do now to ensure you have the coverage you need.
Biden’s big wish list
The multifaceted budget bill hopes to check off numerous items on President Joe Biden’s agenda and other measures championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
That includes national paid family leave, universal preschool, an extension of the expanded child tax credit, free community college, support for affordable housing projects and what could be the biggest expansion in the history of Medicare.
In addition to making vision, hearing and dental coverage more accessible, the bill would also give the federal government the ability to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for Medicare users.
“We are very proud of this plan,” Schumer told reporters last week. “We know we have a long road to go. We’re going to get this done for the sake of making average Americans’ lives a whole lot better.”
The holes in traditional Medicare
Americans who haven’t yet hit age 65 may not realize just how many needs aren’t covered by “original” or “traditional” Medicare — that is, Parts A and B.
Some of the most glaring omissions include long-term care, prescription drugs and — yes — vision, dental and hearing care. That means there’s no coverage for glasses, eye exams, root canals, teeth cleanings or hearing aids.
Many retirees without substantial savings are unable to handle the out-of-pocket expenses.
Nearly two-thirds of Medicare recipients have no dental coverage, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report from 2019. Nearly half haven’t been to the dentist in over a year, and about one in seven have lost all their teeth.
If Biden and his allies succeed, Medicare users won’t have to hunt for affordable insurance elsewhere or go without coverage and risk falling into debt.
Expansion faces a fight ahead
For the most part, the American public strongly supports expanding Medicare, especially when it comes to adding dental benefits. More than three-quarters support the idea — and that number rises to 82% in 2022 Senate battleground states, according to a recent YouGov survey.
However, Washington is divided. Republicans control half the Senate and largely oppose the health proposals, saying the expansion would cost hundreds of billions and make funding Medicare a nightmare down the line.
Instead of convincing numerous Republicans to join them, the Democrats behind the bill hope to use a budget process called “reconciliation,” which will allow them to pass the spending with a simple majority vote.
That’s where things get iffy. To use reconciliation, Biden would need the support of all the Democrats in the Senate. However, more moderate members like Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia are only lukewarm.
Manchin told reporters he’s “open to looking at everything provided,” which would include the Medicare expansion, but he wants to know where the money is coming from.
“Dental is a very important part of a person’s health,” he added. “But we have to pay for all this.”
How else to get this essential coverage
If the plan doesn’t succeed, or you need comprehensive coverage now, Americans 65 and up can look into a Medicare Advantage plan — otherwise known as Part C. These plans are offered by private companies but follow rules set by the Medicare program.
Some Medicare Advantage policies offer vision, hearing and dental coverage, but you’ll want to check exactly what’s included. When you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’re still responsible for paying traditional Medicare costs and potentially an additional monthly premium.
If you’re not old enough to qualify for Medicare, you have a few options to lower your health insurance costs so you can afford to include vision and dental coverage.
First, shopping around and comparing prices is the single best way to save. The Insurance Information Institute recommends comparing at least three quotes to ensure you’re not severely overpaying. While that sounds like a lot of work, some quote comparison sites make it as simple as answering a few questions and reviewing your options.
If you still need to make more room in your budget, use the same approach to slash your other insurance premiums. Switching to a different auto insurance policy might reduce your costs by up to $1,000 a year. You could save a similar amount on your homeowners insurance, as well.
Finally, use your remaining time before retirement to invest. It’s OK if you don’t have a lot of money to spare: Try a popular app that turns your “spare change” from everyday purchases into a diversified portfolio.
