Medicare Drives $4 Billion Growth in US Dental Spending
Dental spending increased by $4 billion in 2023, primarily due to Medicare, marking a 2.5% growth from 2022 after inflation adjustments. While private dental spending declined slightly, government program spending surged, reflecting a significant shift in United States dental care payment trends.
The latest data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reveals that United States dental spending grew by $4 billion in 2023, a 2.5% increase compared to 2022 after adjusting for inflation. This growth was largely driven by Medicare, which accounted for more than $3 billion of the increase. Medicaid contributed the remaining $1 billion.
Government program spending on dental care rose by 18%, offsetting slight declines in private insurance (-0.4%) and out-of-pocket spending (-0.7%). In total, national dental expenditures reached $174 billion in 2023, representing 3.6% of all US health spending.
The increase in Medicare spending can be attributed to the rising number of seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, which often include dental benefits, and the expansion of Medicare dental coverage for patients undergoing specific medical procedures.
These changes reflect a growing reliance on public funding for dental care.
As private spending trends down and government program contributions rise, the US dental care payment landscape is undergoing a transformation. Click here to read more.
