Medicare is a government-run health insurance program that provides coverage for Americans who are 65 and older or have a disability. While Medicare covers a lot of medical expenses, there are certain things that it doesn’t cover—like cosmetic procedures, outpatient prescription drugs, and many new treatments and alternative treatments for chronic conditions, like cancer. Many policyholders choose additional coverage from well-known providers like AARP, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, Cigna, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, and Mutual of Omaha to fill the gaps left by standard health plans. Secondary or dual insurance — where one plan acts as primary and another provides backup coverage — can help reduce out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays, and services not included in the main plan. These supplemental options often extend to benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care, offering added financial protection and peace of mind when unexpected expenses arise.
Even with these added protections, it’s essential to understand exactly what Medicare itself doesn’t include to avoid costly surprises later.
Here are things that Medicare doesn’t cover:

1. Podiatry

Medicare won’t pay for a visit to the foot doctor. Depending on how bad your condition is, you might be able to get a discount on some over-the-counter treatments, but Medicare does not cover them. Regarding conditions like bruises, ingrown nails, and athlete’s foot, Medicare will only provide payment for emergency services or treatments that can’t be treated with over-the-counter remedies.

2. Dental work

If you have a severe issue with your gums or teeth requiring extensive work, you might need to look into some dental work from an oral surgeon to get your mouth back into shape. Many people think that Medicare covers dental work, but it doesn’t. The only thing that they offer is emergency care in case of pain. So watch out for other issues to arise before you have to get a root canal or something similar done on emergency care only.

3. Nursing home care

If you need to be in a nursing home, this type of care will not be covered under Medicare. The only thing that it could cover is emergency care, but not regular day-to-day medical needs. The only concession that Medicare offers for this care is for the family members to have a say in issues related to their stay there, including who gets paid for what.

4. Chiropractic care

Specific services, such as manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (a misalignment of the vertebrae), are only partially covered by Medicare Part B. In other words, they may be covered only if they are a related procedure to another procedure previously authorized by Medicare.

5. Overseas care

If you’re retired and living abroad, don’t expect Medicare to cover anything that requires medical care from a hospital or doctor outside the United States. They will only cover emergency care outside their system for so long after your coverage expires in the United States.

6. Opticians and eye exams

Medicare does not provide any coverage for opticians and eye exams; unless you had these plans before signing up for Medicare, these must be paid for personally. Likewise, if you’re outside your Medicare plan’s service area and need a new prescription or contact lens prescription filled, it will not be covered.

7. Hearing aids

If you are beginning to lose your hearing and don’t have a hearing aid yet, look into purchasing one before the issue gets too bad. You can even do this before you’re on Medicare. However, if you are on Medicare and your hearing is declining, expect to pay for the hearing aid yourself. There is a small subsidy for hearing aids that you can use if you qualify, though.

Medicare is an essential financial lifeline for many Americans, but it isn’t perfect. If you know that one of the seven items listed above is a crucial part of your plan, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your current arrangements and see what options are available. While it is true that these plans may include some services that are not covered under the regular Plan A, they often come with added benefits and lower premiums.