MEDICARE WON'T PAY FOR THESE 7 COMMON HEALTH SERVICES
If you are new to Medicare, you should know right now that Medicare doesn’t cover everything and only covers you at 80% (see Medicare & You book). The Federal Government’s health insurance program (Medicare) for 65+ year old has a lot of gaps in its coverage that you will have to supplement.
Below I discuss seven (7) of the most common healthcare expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover, along with ways that you can prepare for them.
1. Prescription Drugs
Medicare parts A covers hospital stays and part B covers doctor visits, ambulance services and medical equipment.
To receive prescription drug coverage in your senior years, you must enroll in either a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Both programs are overseen by Medicare offered by private insurance companies.
2. Dental Services
Medicare won’t pay for teeth cleanings, dentures, fillings, nor any other type of dental work. Retirees will have to pay entirely out of pocket for their dentist visits unless they have a supplemental insurance policy that covers them.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include some dental coverage or you have to buy dental insurance. If you click here, you will be able to see dental insurance options in your location.
3. Routing Eye Exams and glasses
Medicare Part B covers some preventive and diagnostic eye exams, including glaucoma and routine eye exams for those who have diabetes. And if you need cataract surgery, Medicare covers this as well as the cost of any vision-correcting products you need after the surgery. Medicare does not cover routine eye care, including exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some Medicare Advantage plans include vision coverage or you can purchase stand-alone vision insurance. If you click here, you will be able to see vision insurance options in your location.
4. Hearing Aids
Most Hearing problems present themselves for people over 65. Unfortunately, basic Medicare does not cover hearing aids. You pay 100% of your out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids, batteries, and exams for fitting hearing aids.
Medicare Advantage plans may cover hearing aids, depending on the plan you choose, but you’ll still have to pay deductibles and possibly co-pays in addition to your monthly premiums. You can also check for local county programs.
5. Cosmetic Surgery
Medicare usually does not cover cosmetic surgery unless it’s needed due to accidental injury or to improve the function of a malformed body part. If you had breast cancer, Medicare will cover breast prostheses for breast reconstruction if you had a mastectomy.
Medicare won’t pay if you wan’t your nose reshaped or your face contoured more to your liking.
6. Long-Term Care
In general Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, including most nursing home care.
You may want to consider investing in a long-term care policy or you must pay for long-term care out of your own pocket until your resources are depleted and you reach Medicaid eligibility.
7. Gym Membership
Medicare doesn’t cover gym memberships or fitness programs.
Most Medicare Advantage plans due include free gym membership. Some Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans include free gym membership.
Nobody can predict just what kinds of medical expenses you’ll incur in retirement, but chances are, you’ll need at least one of the services listed above.
Contact us with your questions about this article, Medicare, and supplemental health services via email at info@armandowinsurance.com , leave a comment below, or call me at 915-255-9077.
2. Dental Services
Medicare won’t pay for teeth cleanings, dentures, fillings, nor any other type of dental work. Retirees will have to pay entirely out of pocket for their dentist visits unless they have a supplemental insurance policy that covers them.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include some dental coverage or you have to buy dental insurance. If you click here, you will be able to see dental insurance options in your location.
3. Routing Eye Exams and glasses
Medicare Part B covers some preventive and diagnostic eye exams, including glaucoma and routine eye exams for those who have diabetes. And if you need cataract surgery, Medicare covers this as well as the cost of any vision-correcting products you need after the surgery. Medicare does not cover routine eye care, including exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some Medicare Advantage plans include vision coverage or you can purchase stand-alone vision insurance. If you click here, you will be able to see vision insurance options in your location.
4. Hearing Aids
Most Hearing problems present themselves for people over 65. Unfortunately, basic Medicare does not cover hearing aids. You pay 100% of your out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids, batteries, and exams for fitting hearing aids.
Medicare Advantage plans may cover hearing aids, depending on the plan you choose, but you’ll still have to pay deductibles and possibly co-pays in addition to your monthly premiums. You can also check for local county programs.
5. Cosmetic Surgery
Medicare usually does not cover cosmetic surgery unless it’s needed due to accidental injury or to improve the function of a malformed body part. If you had breast cancer, Medicare will cover breast prostheses for breast reconstruction if you had a mastectomy.
Medicare won’t pay if you wan’t your nose reshaped or your face contoured more to your liking.
6. Long-Term Care
In general Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, including most nursing home care.
You may want to consider investing in a long-term care policy or you must pay for long-term care out of your own pocket until your resources are depleted and you reach Medicaid eligibility.
7. Gym Membership
Medicare doesn’t cover gym memberships or fitness programs.
Most Medicare Advantage plans due include free gym membership. Some Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans include free gym membership.
Nobody can predict just what kinds of medical expenses you’ll incur in retirement, but chances are, you’ll need at least one of the services listed above.
Contact us with your questions about this article, Medicare, and supplemental health services via email at info@armandowinsurance.com , leave a comment below, or call me at 915-255-9077.