10 Things Medicare Does Not Cover
We’re going to discuss 10 things that Original Medicare does NOT cover. It’s important to be aware of these gaps in coverage to ensure you’re fully prepared for any potential healthcare costs.
1) Long Term Care
Original Medicare does not cover long-term care services. Long term care includes custodial care which provides assistance with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. If you require this type of care, you may need to consider other options like Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or use personal savings.
2) Dental Care
Original Medicare does not cover most dental care services, including routine checkups, cleanings, fillings, and dentures. To get dental coverage, you might want to consider a standalone dental insurance plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental benefits.
3) Vision Care
Original Medicare also does not cover routine vision care, such as eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. However, Medicare does cover some diagnostic and preventive services for specific eye conditions. To obtain more comprehensive vision coverage, you can look into standalone vision insurance plans or Medicare Advantage plans with vision benefits.
4) Hearing Care
Hearing care, including routine hearing exams and hearing aids, is not covered by Original Medicare. To access these services, you may need to purchase a standalone hearing insurance plan or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers hearing benefits.
5) Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by Original Medicare because it is considered elective and not medically necessary. Although there are some exceptions for reconstructive surgery due to injury, disease, or congenital defects.
6) Acupuncture
Original Medicare does not cover Accupuncture, with a few exceptions for chronic low back pain. If you’re interested in acupuncture as a treatment option, you may need to explore alternative coverage or pay out-of-pocket.
7) Coverage Outside The USA
Original Medicare does not cover healthcare services received outside the United States, except in very limited circumstances. If you plan to travel or live abroad, consider purchasing a supplemental travel insurance policy or a Medigap plan that offers foreign travel emergency coverage.
8) Prescription Rx
Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs. You’ll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or choose a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to help with medication costs.
9) Private Nursing
Original Medicare does not cover Private nursing services. If you require private nursing care, you may need to explore other options. These would include long-term care insurance or use personal savings.
10) Foot Care
Original Medicare does not cover routine foot care. This includes the treatment of calluses and corns, or toenail trimming. It does cover medically necessary foot care, like treatment for diabetic foot conditions.
And there you have it – 10 things Original Medicare does NOT cover. It’s crucial to understand these gaps in coverage to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. To fill in these gaps, consider exploring Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies, or standalone insurance plans.
If you want help finding a Supplement Plan that helps cover these gaps please reach out to us at (800) 783-5901 and we’ll be glad to help you!
