Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
The Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 would amend federal Medicare law to 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 care with no coinsurance), as well as fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, dental prostheses, and emergency dental care. For most non-preventive dental services, Medicare would phase in payment over eight years, starting at 0 percent of the applicable payment rate and rising by 10 percentage points annually until reaching 80 percent; low-income beneficiaries eligible for certain subsidies would receive 80 percent coverage immediately. The bill sets frequency limits (such as two cleanings and two exams per year, and dentures no more than once every five years) but allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust or waive these limits. It also removes the current Medicare law that excludes most dental care from coverage.
The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries, who would gain a new dental benefit, and state Medicaid programs, which would receive full federal funding (100% FMAP) for covering Medicare dental cost-sharing for certain low-income beneficiaries. It also requires that a federal preventive services task force include at least one oral health professional. The new coverage would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Angela Alsobrooks along with two cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and further votes in both chambers before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026
This bill provides for Medicare coverage of dental and oral health services, including routine diagnostic and preventive services, basic and major dental services, and emergency care; dental prostheses are also covered. Currently, such services are excluded from Medicare coverage.
Timeline
22 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 5089 do?
- The Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026 would amend federal Medicare law to 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 care with no coinsurance), as well as fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, dental prostheses, and emergency dental care. For most non-preventive dental services, Medicare would phase in payment over eight years, starting at 0 percent of the applicable payment rate and rising by 10 percentage points annually until reaching 80 percent; low-income beneficiaries eligible for certain subsidies would receive 80 percent coverage immediately. The bill sets frequency limits (such as two cleanings and two exams per year, and dentures no more than once every five years) but allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to adjust or waive these limits. It also removes the current Medicare law that excludes most dental care from coverage. The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries, who would gain a new dental benefit, and state Medicaid programs, which would receive full federal funding (100% FMAP) for covering Medicare dental cost-sharing for certain low-income beneficiaries. It also requires that a federal preventive services task force include at least one oral health professional. The new coverage would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2028. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2026, by Senator Angela Alsobrooks along with two cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. As an introduced bill, it would need committee consideration and further votes in both chambers before it could become law.
- Has S. 5089 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5089. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5089?
- S. 5089 was sponsored by Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD] (D-MD), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5089?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (22 Jul 2026).
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