Medicare is a federal health insurance and supplementary medical insurance program in the United States for people over 65, younger people with disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease. Medicare Part A covers hospital expenses; Medicare Part B covers 80% of medical costs, including doctors’ fees. However, there are some things that it does not cover. If you have private insurance plans, you should be aware about the things Medicare won’t cover before signing up:

1. Prescription drugs

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are intended for people who do not have Part A, B, or C. It is a separate part of the Medicare program and provides coverage for one-fourth of the total drug costs you pay out of pocket. Medicare will only cover approved Part D drugs and generics, and it does not cover over-the-counter medicines.

2. Long-term care

Medicare Part A covers home health services but not extended-term care. It would help if you bought an advanced Long Term Care policy. For example, the popular Medicare Advantage plans provide a premium for a long-term care policy plus some benefits.

3. Overseas healthcare

Medicare Part A and B do not cover all overseas health care, including the expense of international air travel. Suppose you require an extended stay for medical reasons. In that case, you need to purchase private arrangements with coverage for private or public facilities, which can be found where you are staying. Medicare Part A does not cover any services that you get overseas. You must pay out of pocket if you need to be treated overseas. However, you may be covered by Medicare if you are a resident of the U.S. but travel abroad and receive treatment there. It is essential to check with your Medicare plan as some plans may cover such treatments while others may not.

4. Routine eye exams

Vision care is covered by Medicare Part B, but Medicare does not cover routine eye exams. If you want an eye exam for your general health, you can do so without any problem. You can get an eye exam from a local optometrist or a retail store like Costco or CVS. But if you need it for something like glaucoma, then Medicare will not pay for it.

5. Hearing aids

Medicare will cover one hearing device every three years. The device must be prescribed by an audiologist and fitted by a health professional registered with Medicare. You must pay for the additional devices if you require more than one hearing aid in a year. However, Medicare will cover the cost of batteries and repairs to hearing aids.

6. Routine dental exams

Medicare Part B will cover certain preventive dental services like sealants and cleaning. To get a routine exam, you must pay out of pocket. If you’re buying a Medicare plan, it will be essential to shop around, as some programs provide more benefits than others.

7. Dentures

Medicare Part B will cover certain dental services but does not cover dentures. If you require dentures, you need to pay out of pocket unless they are a particular type of denture, such as a dental implant. It is essential to look carefully at the Medicare plan’s benefits because some Medicare plans provide more coverage than others do.

It is essential to investigate the benefits and expenses of a Medicare plan before enrollment for it. If you do not have extra funds to pay out of pocket, then your current health plan would be an option that could cover some of the expenses.