It’s no secret that navigating your Medicare coverage can often be complicated and overwhelming. However, understanding your benefits is key to making sure you get the care you need at a price you can afford. And, of course, one of the most important aspects of your coverage to understand is what is not covered.
While Medicare coverage can be fairly extensive when it comes to preventative and medically necessary healthcare services, there are some health-related appointments and services you may need that won’t be covered. Knowing what these services are ahead of time can help you determine whether you need to apply for supplemental long-term care insurance or budget for out-of-pocket costs.
Here are five common healthcare services Medicare doesn’t cover:
Dental
There is no dental insurance under Medicare, so even your biannual cleaning won’t be covered. This includes any dental procedure, plus dentures and dental plates.
Vision
Routine vision appointments aren’t covered under Medicare, though there are some preventative and diagnostic eye care services—like glaucoma tests—that may be covered under Medicare Part B. Medicare recipients who are diabetic also will likely qualify for an annual eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy, but general routine appointments are not covered. Neither is the cost of eyeglasses or contacts.
Hearing Aids
Though many older adults suffer from hearing loss, the coverage for hearing-related health problems is minimal. While some diagnostic hearing and balance exams may be covered if ordered by a doctor, routine hearing exams are not. Hearing aids and appointments for hearing aid fittings are also not covered.
Long-term Care
Here’s where things get a little complicated. If you need skilled nursing or rehabilitative care following a hospitalization, Medicare will pay the full allowed rate for the first 20 days of care and then a portion of the cost for up to 100 days. Additional long-term care past this term is not covered. Personal care assistance in your home is also not covered by Medicare. Because most long-term care isn’t covered, many older adults invest in long-term care insurance or a continuing care at home program, if such an option is available in your area.
Any Treatment Outside the Country
Your Medicare benefits don’t follow you out of the country. In the large majority of cases, any treatment you receive outside of the United States will not be covered.
In addition to the five non-covered services listed above, it’s also important to keep in mind that Medicare won’t cover alternative medicine like acupuncture or chiropractic services. There are also several small costs—like acquiring copies of your X-rays—that Medicare won’t cover, so be aware of those details.
The bottom line is this: Take time to familiarize yourself with your Medicare plan to know what coverage you can count on to stay independent as you age. While you will enjoy many great benefits through your Medicare coverage, it certainly is not an all-encompassing policy.
Interested in learning more about how you should prepare for your future? Sign up for a free, no obligation discovery seminar today.
