Medicare provides excellent coverage for most of your important medical needs — but not all of them. Here are five coverage gaps to keep in mind.
#1: Long-Term Care
Medicare does not cover long-term care services, such as nursing home stays or in-home care for individuals unable to perform daily activities independently. This type of care is often expensive and must be paid out-of-pocket or through a long-term care insurance policy.
#2: Dental Care
Medicare does not cover routine dental care, such as cleanings or fillings. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited dental coverage, but it is generally not included in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
#3: Vision Care
It also doesn’t cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. However, it does cover certain medical eye care services, such as treatment for cataracts or glaucoma. Generally, to be covered by Medicare, any dental or vision care must be related to an emergency medical need or other diseases, like diabetes.
#4: Hearing Aids
Medicare does not cover dental, vision, or hearing care — including the cost of hearing aids or routine hearing exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited coverage for hearing aids, but it is not included in Original Medicare.
#5: Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, or naturopathic treatments, are not covered. These types of therapies are considered experimental or unproven and are not covered under Medicare.
Other Coverage to Keep In Mind
In addition to these five items, Medicare does not cover certain elective procedures, such as cosmetic surgery or weight loss surgery. It also does not cover expenses incurred while traveling outside the United States unless deemed medically necessary. This means that a Medicare-approved physician, not self-prescribed, must recommend it.
In Conclusion — We Can Help
It is important for individuals on Medicare to be aware of what is and is not covered under their plan. Those who need coverage for services not covered by Medicare may want to consider purchasing a supplement or Advantage plan to fill the gaps in coverage. Regularly reviewing and comparing plan options is also important to ensure you get the most value for your money.
With Toni Buffington Medicare Solutions, you don’t have to worry about being left in the dark about your coverage — we’ll walk you through it to ensure you’re confident. Call (918) 902-2304 to learn more.