Medicare doesn't cover everything.If you need services Part A or Part B doesn't cover, you'll have to pay for them yourself unless:
- You have other coverage (including Medicaid) to cover the costs.
- You're in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Cost Plan that covers these services. Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Cost Plans may cover some extra benefits, like fitness programs and 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
- 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)
Find out if Medicare covers a test, item, or service you need.
If you're not lawfully present in the U.S., Medicare won't pay for your Part A and Part B claims, and you can't join a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare drug plan.
