What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Question

Leslie Helene Sussman · Accepted Answer

Original Medicare does NOT typically cover:  Please see pages 55-56 in your 2025 Medicare and you Handbook.  If you want a digital copy, contact me and I will be happy to forward by email.

1.  Cosmetic Surgery
2. Massage Therapy
3. Hearing Aids and Exams
4. Routine Dental Care
5. Concierge Care
6. Eye Exams (for Prescription Glasses)

Good news is that some of these are covered in a Medicare Advantage plan.   Dental/Vision can be covered in a Standalone Dental/Vision plan.

Contact a local broker to confirm these coverages in your local plan.

Diana Salisbury · Answer

Number 1 - eye-exams (for eyeglasses)
Number 2 - Long-term care
Number 3 - cosmetic surgery
Number 4 - massage therapy
Number 5 - routine physical exams
Number 6 - hearing aids and exams for fitting them

John Lopez · Answer

Medicare does not cover routine and comprehensive dental care, routine vision care, or routine hearing care. In addition, Medicare does not cover long-term nursing home care, cosmetic surgery, and medical care outside the United States. In addition, prescription drugs are not covered by Parts A and Part B. They are covered by Part D, which require a separate enrollment.

Answered by John Lopez on April 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY & PA

Answered by John Lopez Medicare Insurance Agent

Rick Boyd · Answer

Medicare does not cover:
Dental Care
Eye Exams
Hearing Aids
Long-term care
Cosmetic Surgery
Massage Therapy
Concierge Care
Covered Items/Services you receive from an "opt-out" Doctor except in an emergency or urgent case

Fred Manas · Answer

Medicare generally does not cover the following six items:

1. Long-term care: This includes custodial care, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and eating. 

2. Dental care: Routine dental checkups, cleanings, fillings, and dentures. 

3. Vision care: Eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. 

4. Hearing aids: Hearing exams and the cost of hearing aids. 

5. Prescription drugs: Most prescription medications are not covered by Medicare. 

6. Cosmetic surgery: Elective cosmetic procedures, such as facelifts and tummy tucks.

Mel Stevens · Answer

Six things Original Medicare does not cover.  Part A original Medicare covers Hosptial stays, skilled nursing, home healthcare and hospice care.   Part B Original Medicare will cover doctor visits, inpatient surgeries, diagnostic testing, X-rays, CT Scans, Lab work and durable medical equipment. 
Original Medicare does not have any additional coverage for Dental, Vision, Hearing, Physical Therapy, Accupuncture, Chiropractic services among other services.  In addition, Original Medicare has an 80-20% split, meaning Medicare will cover 80% and you cover 20% of the cost.  This cost could become enormous should you need extensive medical care. For example, if you ran up $100,000 worth of medical bills, you could be on the hook to cover 20% or $20,000.   This is the reason people look to either take out a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage pla to cover the 20% that Original Medicare does not.

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

Medicare doesn't  cover hearing aids, dental, vision exams. It will cover for glaucoma, cataract surgery, and immaculate degeneration.

Tracy Brown · Answer

❌ 1. Long-Term Care (Custodial Care) Such as nursing homes, assisted living, or help with bathing, dressing, and eating. Medicare covers short-term rehab, not ongoing personal care.

❌ 2. Dental Care  (Ask me for good PPO dental) Medicare Advantage plans have preventative dental cleanings x-rays and annual visits, but Original Medicare does not.

❌ 3. Vision Care.  No routine eye exams, glasses, or contacts. Some Advantage plans have this. Medicare only covers eye care for conditions like cataracts or glaucoma.

❌ 4. Hearing Aids & Exams. Audiology exams may be covered but fitting hearing aids and the hearing aids themselves are not covered. Medicare Advantage has hearing benefits but they are rare the good devices or high-level hearing aids.

❌ 5. Prescription Drugs (Outpatient) Original Medicare doesn’t cover retail prescription meds.  You need a stand-alone, Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.

❌ 6. Care Outside the U.S. Medicare usually doesn’t cover medical services while traveling internationally. Some Medigap plans (like Plan G or Plan N) offer limited emergency coverage abroad.  The key word is "Emergency".  Tracy's tip; Buy a travel plan before leaving the USA

Aaron Young · Answer

Original Medicare Parts A & B generally does not cover vision care, dental care, routine physical exams, cosmetic surgery, long-term care or prescription drug coverage.

Penny Wegner · Answer

There are 6 things that Medicare does not cover:  Cosmetic Surgery, Hearing Aids, Routine Eye Exams, Routine Dental Work, Long-term Care, and all most all prescription drugs.

Barbara Bolden · Answer

Original Medicare does NOT cover:
1. Prescriptions 
2. Dental Cleaning
3. Dentures
4. Vision
5. Hearing/Hearing Aids
6. Food Care

Roberto Alvarez · Answer

Original Medicare does not cover dental, vision, hearing, long term care and final expenses. A Medicare Advantage plan can give you extra benefits and many with no additional costs to you.

Beth Bohnsack · Answer

1. Long Term Care
2. Personal Care Assistance (non-medical home care)
3. Adult Day Care
4. Cosmetic surgery, prescriptions for hair loss
5. Hearing Aids
6. Routine eye exams and dental cleanings