Medicare can be great for hospital insurance and medical insurance for many people over the age of 65 and under the age of 65 depending on their disabilities. There are different medicare coverage benefits plans, including medicare supplemental options, some of which can be found on their health plan website. If you are interested in looking into medicare health insurance and want to know what isn’t covered, here is a list to help you:
1. Medical care for international travel
If you or your family frequently travel internationally, it’s advisable to explore Medigap plans, which serve as supplements to Medicare. Some Medigap plans can cover expenses that Medicare does not, often up to 80%. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans provide coverage for emergency medical expenses incurred abroad.
2. Preventive dental checkups
Original Medicare does not include routine dental exam coverage, dental procedures, or dentures. Nonetheless, some Medicare Advantage plans may offer annual limits, such as the common dental limit of $1,500 per year.
3. Routine eye care, hearing exams, and hearing aids
Original Medicare does not extend coverage to hearing exams or hearing aids. However, certain Medicare Advantage plans can provide assistance in this regard. Vision care, including eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses, is not covered by Medicare.
4. Cosmetic surgery
Medicare generally does not cover cosmetic surgery, except in specific cases. For instance, the program may approve coverage for cosmetic surgeries required for therapeutic reasons, such as repairing skin burns or facial injuries resulting from accidents.
5. Long-term nursing home care
While Medicare generally does not cover long-term care, it can be utilized for other services within nursing homes, such as medical supplies and consultations with healthcare professionals. In some cases, individuals may also qualify for Medicaid in conjunction with Medicare, as many nursing homes accept Medicaid for admission.
6. Prescription drugs
The fundamental Medicare plan does not include coverage for prescription medications. However, individuals seeking prescription drug coverage have alternative options through private insurance companies. Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer diverse drug coverage options.
7. Health care costs for spouses and dependents
In many health insurance plans that are provided through an employer, the coverage extends to spouses and dependents. With medicare, there is no coverage for spouses or dependents, it is only individual coverage.
8. Foot care
Non–medically necessary foot care is not covered in any medicare plan, including treatment of flat foot, nail care, orthopedic shoes, or corn and callus removal.
