Medicare Dental Benefit Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
Introduced
Summary
Expands Medicare to cover dental and oral health services. This bill would create a new, defined category of dental and oral health services in Medicare and set rules for benefits, payments, and limits beginning January 1, 2028.
Show full summary
- People on Medicare would gain coverage for routine preventive care, basic and major dental services, emergency care, and certain dental prostheses. Routine preventive care would be treated as a preventive service and generally limited to two cleanings and two exams per 12 months.
- The bill would set a new tiered payment system that ramps from 0% coverage in the first year to 80% in year eight and thereafter. Subsidy-eligible low-income beneficiaries would get 80% coverage in the initial year and in later years.
- States would receive 100% federal matching for the part of their medical assistance that covers Medicare cost-sharing for these dental services. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force would be required to include at least one oral health professional to shape preventive guidance.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New Medicare dental coverage for seniors
If enacted, Medicare would add a new category called "dental and oral health services" starting January 1, 2028. You would be able to get routine cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, dentures, and emergency dental care. Routine diagnostic and preventive dental care would count as Medicare preventive services. The bill would also remove a statutory exclusion that could let Medicare pay for more dental items or services starting January 1, 2028.
Medicare payment rules for dental care
If enacted, Medicare Part B would pay a rising share of most dental bills starting January 1, 2028. For most people the share would be 0% in the first year (the first year beginning at least 6 months after enactment), then increase 10 percentage points each year until it reaches 80% in year eight and after. People who are subsidy-eligible would get 80% coverage starting the first year. The bill would limit routine services to two cleanings and two exams per 12 months, and limit dentures and partials to one full upper and one full lower, and one partial upper and lower, each once every five years. The Secretary could require prior authorization, change coverage to match Task Force guidance, or waive limits for some people.
Federal match for state dental costs
If enacted, the federal government would pay 100% of the state share for Medicaid spending that is tied to Medicare Part B dental cost-sharing starting January 1, 2028. The Secretary would calculate the portion of state spending that is attributable to Part B dental services. This would lower state costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries and might reduce their out-of-pocket cost-sharing.
Add oral health expert to Task Force
If enacted, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force would be required to include at least one oral health professional starting January 1, 2028. This would change who advises the government on preventive care. Over time, it could affect preventive recommendations for oral health.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]
MN • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]
IL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]
WA • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
NC • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]
FL • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]
DE • D
Sponsored 8/31/2026
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 9/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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