Community Statement on Medicare Coverage for Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies

Millions of seniors and people with disabilities rely on Medicare for their health care, but it does not cover their oral health care. Even if someone needs dental care in order to have a medical procedure—like a kidney transplant patient who needs an oral infection treated to begin surgery — Medicare won’t cover the oral health care. Luckily, there is an active, broadly supported effort to secure coverage of “medically necessary” dental care, which could be added to Medicare through CMS’s administrative authority.

Over 240 prominent organizations have signed a Community Statement in support of this life-saving, cost-effective coverage. Signatories include a wide range of leaders in the health and health care sectors, including consumer advocates, numerous medical fields, dental professionals, experts on aging, and many others.

You can read the Community Statement on Medicare Coverage for Medically Necessary Oral and Dental Health Therapies for more information on this effort and its broad-based support.