Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9832, the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026, would add dental and oral health services as a covered benefit under Medicare Part B. Covered services would include routine cleanings, exams, and x-rays (treated as preventive services), basic care such as fillings and extractions, major services such as root canals, crowns, and dentures, emergency dental care, and dental prostheses. Medicare would phase in payment for most of these services, starting at 0 percent of the payment amount for the first year (beginning at least six months after enactment) and rising by 10 percentage points annually until reaching 80 percent by the eighth year; low-income beneficiaries qualifying for Part D subsidies would receive 80 percent coverage immediately. The bill sets frequency limits (e.g., two cleanings/exams per year, dentures limited every five years) and gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to adjust or waive limits and align coverage with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, which would now include an oral health professional.
The change affects Medicare beneficiaries broadly, giving them new coverage for dental care not previously included, with faster, fuller coverage for low-income enrollees. It also affects state Medicaid programs, which would receive 100 percent federal funding for Medicare cost-sharing tied to these new dental benefits for qualified low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The new coverage would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028.
The bill was introduced in the House on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Nanette Barragán along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It has not yet been considered, debated, or voted on by either committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 22, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9832 do?
- H.R. 9832, the Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026, would add dental and oral health services as a covered benefit under Medicare Part B. Covered services would include routine cleanings, exams, and x-rays (treated as preventive services), basic care such as fillings and extractions, major services such as root canals, crowns, and dentures, emergency dental care, and dental prostheses. Medicare would phase in payment for most of these services, starting at 0 percent of the payment amount for the first year (beginning at least six months after enactment) and rising by 10 percentage points annually until reaching 80 percent by the eighth year; low-income beneficiaries qualifying for Part D subsidies would receive 80 percent coverage immediately. The bill sets frequency limits (e.g., two cleanings/exams per year, dentures limited every five years) and gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to adjust or waive limits and align coverage with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations, which would now include an oral health professional. The change affects Medicare beneficiaries broadly, giving them new coverage for dental care not previously included, with faster, fuller coverage for low-income enrollees. It also affects state Medicaid programs, which would receive 100 percent federal funding for Medicare cost-sharing tied to these new dental benefits for qualified low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The new coverage would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028. The bill was introduced in the House on July 22, 2026, by Rep. Nanette Barragán along with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It has not yet been considered, debated, or voted on by either committee or the full House, and would need to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the President to become law.
- Has H.R. 9832 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Jul 2026, H.R. 9832 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9832?
- H.R. 9832 was sponsored by Rep. Nanette Barragán [D-CA44] (Democrat-CA), with 16 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9832?
- Introduced (22 Jul 2026).
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