What's not covered?
Original Medicare doesn't cover everything. If you need items or services Part A (Hospital Insurance) or Part B (Medical Insurance) don’t cover, you’ll have to pay for them yourself unless:
- You have other health coverage that will help cover the costs. Learn about how other coverage works with Medicare.
- You’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) , Medicare Cost Plan , or a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plan that covers these services. These plans may cover some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like certain vision, hearing, and dental services.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn’t cover include:
- Long-term care (also called custodial care )
- Most dental care
- Eye exams (for prescription glasses)
- Dentures
- Most cosmetic surgery
- Massage therapy
- Routine physical exams
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
- Concierge care (also called concierge medicine, retainer-based medicine, boutique medicine, platinum practice, or direct care)
- Covered items or services you get from an opt-out doctor or other provider (except in the case of an emergency or urgent need)
Next step: Understand what Part A covers and what Part B covers
Take action: Find out if Medicare covers a test, item, or service you need
Learn more: Learn how to get care & drugs in disasters or emergencies