What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Answered by 6 licensed agents

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.

Answered by Leslie Helene Sussman on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL & PA

Answered by Leslie Helene Sussman Medicare Insurance Agent
❌ 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

Answered by Tracy Brown on April 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 32 other states

Answered by Tracy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent
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.

Answered by Penny Wegner on April 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, CA, CO & 8 other states

Answered by Penny Wegner Medicare Insurance Agent
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.

Answered by Roberto Alvarez on April 9, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Roberto Alvarez Medicare Insurance Agent
Original Medicare does NOT cover:

1. Prescriptions

2. Dental Cleaning

3. Dentures

4. Vision

5. Hearing/Hearing Aids

6. Food Care

Answered by Barbara Bolden on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in NC, NY & SC

Answered by Barbara Bolden Medicare Insurance Agent
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

Answered by Beth Bohnsack on April 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in MN

Answered by Beth Bohnsack Medicare Insurance Agent

Tags: Coverage The Medicare System

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