FAQ: What Will Medicare Not Cover?
Medicare is a federally funded social insurance program that covers people 65 and older, people with specific disabilities, people with end-stage renal illness, and people with chronic kidney disease. It frequently pays for all of your medical costs as well as a portion of your pharmaceutical costs. You should be aware of these services that Medicare doesn’t cover if you or your spouse qualify for the federal health insurance program:
1. Long term home or nursing home care
Medicare will pay for short-term nursing home stays after a hospital stay or while you are at home healing from an illness or injury. Medicare does not pay for long-term care intended to support you at home.
2. Prescription drugs
Most Medicare recipients are required to cover the total cost of their prescription medications. Even if they have signed up for Medicare and have private health insurance through their employer or spouse, this is still the case. However, one can enroll in a patient assistance program as it will help cover the out-of-pocket cost of their prescription drugs.
3. Out of country health care
Medicare does not cover anything that happens outside of the US. Medicare won’t pay for your medical expenses if you have a severe disease while traveling abroad or at home. Purchase traveler’s health insurance before you depart the nation to safeguard yourself from hefty medical expenditures in other countries. You can consider overseas health coverage, which will allow you to access affordable healthcare should an emergency happen abroad. Many people believe it necessary to obtain insurance to cover the potential additional costs that may be necessary because the dangers of paying for a healthcare provider’s service while traveling are too great.
4. Eye exams
The majority of commonplace eye exams are not often covered by Medicare coverage. This includes both the examination and the glasses you purchase afterwards. Medicare pays for an eye exam only if an ophthalmologist advises it or if there is a problem with your eyes that necessitates further testing.
5. Hearing aids
Hearing aids are typically purchased and paid for without insurance, although Medicare does not cover them. Depending on the hearing aid, you might still be required to make an additional out-of-pocket payment or secure separate coverage like Aetna Health Insurance.
6. Dental exams and aids like dentures
While Medicare does not cover routine dental exams, any care you require due to dental issues found during an exam might be. If you don’t have dental insurance, you might wish to open a different savings account just for future dental work. Unfortunately, routine checkups and cleanings are not covered by Medicare. Dental services, including dentures, are not covered by Medicare either. Dental implants are available to anyone at any age if they are disabled. Anyone who needs a complete upper set of teeth or has missing front teeth may be eligible to acquire coverage for the vital element of their dentures.
For those eligible for Medicare insurance, United HealthCare has transitioned from traditional Medicare to a new health plan option called the UnitedHealthCare Medicare Advantage Plan. With United Healthcare Medicare, you can enjoy premium coverage and benefits, including drug coverage and access to routine care, without worrying about high deductibles or copays. If you’re a senior citizen and are eligible for Medicare, you might want to consider Medicare Advantage plan enrollment.