Once you turn 65, Medicare is a great way to get insurance coverage for many of your healthcare needs. Unfortunately, Original Medicare, or Medicare Part A and Part B, does not cover everything. You may find gaps in your coverage if you find yourself in need of specific procedures or doctors that fall outside of basic hospital and medical insurance.
Here are some of the top procedures that aren’t covered by Original Medicare:
Prescription Drugs:
In many cases, you may need to rely on Medicare Part D on top of Original Medicare to cover your medication costs. Another option is a Medicare Advantage plan which covers both medical and prescription needs.
Opticians and Eye Exams:
Routine eye exams, glasses and contact lenses are not covered under Original Medicare or Medigap plans. Some Medicare Advantage cover vision care, but other options are paying out of pocket or relying on private insurance. Medicare, however, will cover ophthalmologic expenses, such as cataract surgery.
Hearing Aids and Exams:
While Medicare and Medigap plans do cover ear-related medical conditions, they do not cover routine hearing checks or hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantages will cover hearing aids, however, otherwise, you will have to pay out of pocket or get private insurance.
Dental Care and Dentures:
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental work, but Original Medicare does not offer coverage for dental checkups, dentures, or oral surgery. Individual dental insurance or dental discount plans are your other options for coverage.
Overseas Care:
Medical costs incurred outside of the US are not covered by Original Medicare or most Medicare Advantage plans. If you travel frequently, it may be worth it to look into Medigap plans that cover overseas coverage. If you’re planning a trip abroad, you should also consider travel insurance with basic healthcare coverage and medical evacuation insurance in case of an emergency.
Podiatry:
Medicare Part B does offer coverage for foot injuries and ailment and care related to diabetes treatment, but Medicare does not cover routine foot care. If you foresee the need for this kind of treatment, you can set up a savings program for these specific medical needs.
Acupuncture or Other Alternative Treatments:
Medicare doesn’t cover acupuncture for any condition other than chronic low back pain. If you receive acupuncture as a treatment for chronic low back pain, then you can get 12 visits with 90 days covered. Medicare covers an additional 8 sessions if you show improvement. Medicare does not cover most forms of holistic or alternative medicine, such as neuropathy or massage therapy. Not all chiropractic medicine is covered either.
Cosmetic Surgery:
Medicare does not cover elective cosmetic surgery. In the event of an accidental injury, however, cosmetic surgery can be covered. If you foresee these costs, you can set up a specific savings program to help with the costs.
Long-Term or Custodial Care:
Medicare can cover some limited stays in rehab facilities, but will not cover any long-term or custodial care in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. These situations can be a major expense. To help cover the costs, you can look into some Medicaid options or you can buy long-term-care insurance or a combination long-term-care and life insurance policy.
While Original Medicare may not cover everything you may want or need out of your healthcare coverage, you do have options. Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans may give you the solutions you need. Or perhaps you may need to buy individual insurance for certain treatment needs. In addition to other insurances like basic life insurance CORE Insurance also offer final expense and Jr policies, which is designed with grandkids in mind.
No matter what your Medicare and healthcare needs are, Core Insurance is here to help you find the plans that best fit your unique situation. If you have any questions about what Medicare won’t cover for you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team of specialists is standing by.
