Top 7 Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Everything
In an estimate, Medicare covers over 54 million beneficiaries with about 77% of these happy with their insurance. However, this important social program does not cover the needs of every single beneficiary. If you are covered by Medicare or have plans in doing so, it is vital that you understand both the benefits and its limitations.
Medicare is not an all-inclusive service, and it is definitely not free. You will not only need to pay copayments, premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles, but you might also pay for more services. T
he necessary services which Medicare does not cover might surprise you.
In this blog, we will discuss the top 7 things Medicare does not cover. What are these? To find out, continue reading on!
Medicare Does Not Cover Most Foreign Travel
A lot of people plan to travel the world once they retire. While financial limitations might stop some people from chasing their dream, access to health care might be another point of conflict. On top of this, Original Medicare doesn’t cover health care in most foreign travel, unless particular criteria are met.
To avoid this issue, you might opt for Medicare Supplement Insurance or a Medigap plan. 80% of the emergency expenses for sixty (60) days you are traveling out of the country are coverer when you choose plans that have a foreign travel benefit.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover White Canes For The Visually Impaired
Medicare might cover services not considered to be medically necessary, making the fact that the program does not cover the white canes for those who are blind or who are visually impaired even more surprising.
White canes are incredibly important for those who are visually impaired in navigating their environment. It is a tool that not only allows for free mobility, but also promotes safety. However, Medicare neither covers this nor the service animals that might be essential in helping people with visual impairments to live more independently and safely.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Custodial Care
Medicare differentiates between two kinds of care – custodial care and skilled care. Skilled care is done by licensed medical professionals. Such car includes speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. These services are only covered by medicare if they are considered as medically necessary and are recommended by a doctor.
On the other hand, custodial care may be done by anyone. This care is not medical in nature and does not need a licensed administrator. For instance, a nurse’s aide might assist with the activities of the daily living listed above. Medicare will not pay for these services.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Long-Term Nursing Home Care
It is a fact that not everybody can take care of him or herself when they grow older. People tend to naturally become less agile and independent and they might suffer from chronic medical conditions. Although some people may turn to their friends or family to help them, a lot of people do not have that option. Further, only a few can afford to pay for nursing homes.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for long-term stays in nursing homes. Though it will pay for a short-term assignment in a trained nursing service after the hospitalization, it only covers a limited number of days.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Hearing Tests or Hearing Aids
In spite of the high number of Medicare beneficiaries with a hearing condition, Medicare actually does not cover routine hearing exams unless the patient complains about it specifically and the test regarded as important to diagnose the causal condition. However, many seniors lose their sense of hearing gradually and will not report any symptoms until very far along in the process of losing it.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Eye Examinations Or Corrective Lenses
In spite of the evidence that suggests seniors should have vision care, Medicare does not cover routine eye examinations or corrective lenses. Contact lenses and eyeglasses must paid out-of-pocket. This does not mean that Original Medicare will cover any vision screening at all. It actually does – yet only for those at risk.
Medicare Doesn’t Cover Routine Dental Examinations Or Dentures
Medicare does not cover crowns, plates, and bridges. Even routine dental care such as fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, root canals, or cleanings are excluded from coverage. This leaves seniors with a large cost, just to maintain dental hygiene and health.
The Takeaway
There is no doubt that Medicare is important and truly beneficial for some individuals. However, it is not a comprehensive service, and it certainly is not free of charge. Not only will you need to pay copayments, premiums, coinsurance, and deductibles, but you might also pay for more services than you might expect.
Nevertheless, there are some institutions that cover the aforementioned services that Medicare does not include. I can help you discover the plan that will truly suit your personal needs. Having spent over 30 years in this industry, I am more than qualified to help you will your insurance problems.
For more information and clarification about Medicare, log onto One Source Benefits or you can call me at 1-877-549-1212. and we can talk about it. You and I can set up an appointment at your very own convenience and make sure that you receive the Medicare insurance that you need at a reasonable price!