9 Surprising Things Not Covered by Medicare — and Ways You Can Pay for Them
Key takeaways:
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers a range of supplies and services for eligible individuals 65 or older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions.
Medicare doesn’t cover supplies and services that aren’t considered medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery. The program also doesn’t cover long-term care or most dental services.
You can visit the Medicare website, review your “Medicare & You” handbook, or call the agency directly to get a better idea of what’s covered.
Table of contents
Medicare provides coverage for essential medical services for millions of Americans. From lab tests to physician visits, this health insurance program helps people 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions, afford healthcare costs.
However, despite the rise in Medicare spending — which reached over $944 billion in 2022 — the program still doesn’t cover all healthcare expenses. So you’ll need to plan ahead to determine how you’ll pay for services and supplies that Medicare doesn’t cover.
What services and supplies are not covered by Medicare?
Medicare covers a wide range of services, including mental health support and assistance with managing conditions such as diabetes. But it doesn’t cover all healthcare needs. Here are nine things not covered by Medicare — and a few ways to pay for them.
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1. Most dental care
Of the more than 36 million Americans who have lost all their natural teeth, the vast majority of them use dentures. Unfortunately, original Medicare — Part A and Part B — does not cover major dental equipment and procedures such as dentures and root canals, which can cost thousands of dollars. The program also doesn’t cover routine dental checkups, cleanings, or X-rays.
Medicare will pay only for dental procedures that are deemed medically necessary and connected to the treatment for a larger health issue, such as certain types of jaw reconstruction surgery. To save on dental care services not covered by Medicare, you can:
Consider signing up for a dental savings plan.
Use the tax-advantaged funds in a health savings account (HSA) or flexible savings account (FSA) to pay for qualifying dental expenses.
Visit a dental school or community health center for free or low-cost services.
2. Weight-loss medications
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become popular medications for weight loss. But many health insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t currently cover these medications when they’re taken solely for that purpose.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA), which went into effect on January 1, 2006, prohibits Medicare from covering medications taken to treat obesity. But if you are prescribed one of these medications to treat a a qualifying health condition, Medicare may cover it under Part D.
Here are ways to save on weight-loss medications without Medicare:
Download a free GoodRx coupon for your medication and present it at your pharmacy.
Find out if you can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for your prescription.
Ask your provider for free samples.
Surprising Medicare-covered items: Beyond the extensive list of common services and supplies that are covered by Medicare, there are some, like acupuncture and nutrition therapy services, that may surprise you.
Is Medicare Part A free? Your eligibility for premium-free Medicare Part A depends on your work and tax history.
What does Medicare Part B cover? From mental health support to preventive services, here are examples of what Medicare Part B covers.
3. Long-term care
Long-term care services, such as assistance with dressing, eating, and bathing, are not covered by Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurance, known as Medigap. These types of services fall under personal care services instead of medical services, according to Medicare.
Ways to save on long-term care services without Medicare include:
Find out if you qualify for Medicaid, which may cover your long-term care.
Consider purchasing long-term care insurance before you need it.
If you qualify for health benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), see if you can receive coverage for long-term care.
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4. Most vision care
Original Medicare typically doesn’t cover vision-related healthcare costs, such as eyeglasses, contacts, or routine eye exams. There are a few exceptions, however. For example, Medicare does cover cataract surgery if it’s deemed medically necessary and meets other requirements.
To save on vision care that isn’t covered by Medicare, you can:
Consider purchasing vision insurance.
Use an HSA or FSA to pay for qualifying vision expenses.
Sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that provides vision benefits.
5. Hearing care
While Medicare Part B may cover your visit to the audiologist once every 12 months, original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or related exams or fittings. But if your healthcare provider orders a diagnostic hearing and balance exam to determine if you need medical treatment, the cost will be covered under Medicare.
Some ways to save on hearing aids include:
Claim the hearing aids on your tax return if you itemize your deductions.
Consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids.
Check to see if your state Medicaid program covers hearing aids and if you’re eligible for coverage.
6. Cosmetic surgery
As you age, you might consider procedures like a facelift, eyelid surgery, or Botox. Medicare doesn’t cover these procedures for cosmetic purposes. But if you need one to treat a medical condition, such as impaired vision as a result of sagging eyelids, Medicare would probably cover it.
Ways to pay for cosmetic surgery without Medicare coverage include:
Ask your surgeon about financing plans.
Set aside money in your personal savings account for the procedure.
Consider signing up for a medical credit card after weighing the pros and cons.
7. Foot care
While Medicare covers medically necessary foot treatments prescribed by a healthcare provider, the program doesn’t cover expenses related to routine foot care, such as:
Fittings for orthopedic shoes
Treatment for flatfoot
Removal of calluses or dead skin
Nail trimmings or removal
Foot soaks
Preventive maintenance services
To pay for foot care that isn’t covered by Medicare, you can:
Set aside money in your personal savings account for foot care expenses.
Find out if you can use HSA or FSA funds to pay for the supplies or services.
Weigh the pros and cons of a medical credit card and consider signing up.
8. Adult diapers
If you find it hard to control your bladder as you age, you may benefit from adult diapers. But Medicare does not cover the cost of adult diapers or other incontinence supplies. Under Medicare, these items are considered to be for personal hygiene purposes rather than medical treatment.
If you need help paying for adult diapers, you can:
Check to see if your state Medicaid program covers incontinence supplies and if you’re eligible for coverage.
If you receive VA health benefits and you’ve been diagnosed with incontinence, ask about getting coverage for incontinence supplies.
Weigh the pros and cons of a medical credit card and consider signing up.
9. Deductibles
Both Medicare Part A and Part B have an annual deductible. As with any insurance policy, you have to meet these deductibles before your coverage kicks in. In 2025, for example, the deductible for Medicare Part B was $257.
Here are some ways to save money on deductibles:
Shop around and compare health insurance plans.
Use HSA funds to pay for expenses that go toward your deductible..
Take advantage of preventive services covered by your insurance plan.
How to enroll in Medicare
If you haven’t enrolled in Medicare yet, here are a few tips to help you get started:
Find out if you are eligible to apply. Most people qualify for Medicare at age 65. Younger individuals may qualify due to certain disabilities or conditions, such as end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease). Some people, such as those who have been approved for Social Security benefits, are automatically enrolled in Medicare once they turn 65.
Look into the enrollment periods. There’s an initial enrollment period that takes place during a 7-month window around your 65th birthday. But if you miss that, you can sign up during a general enrollment period from January 1 to March 31. Certain life events, like losing employer-sponsored coverage, may also qualify you for a special enrollment period.
Decide which type of Medicare coverage best fits your needs. Original Medicare covers hospital and medical services through Parts A and B, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines these benefits. Medicare Advantage plans often include extra benefits, such as coverage for vision or dental care, as well. Depending on which option you choose, you may want to add prescription medication coverage (Part D) or Medigap supplemental insurance to help with out-of-pocket costs.
Sign up for Medicare. You can apply for original Medicare online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. The first step is to enroll in original Medicare, assuming you’re eligible. Once enrolled, you can explore and sign up for additional Medicare coverage, such as Part C or Part D, online.
Where can I find out if a test, medical item, or service is covered by Medicare?
If you are wondering if Medicare covers a specific item or service, you can refer to the resources below:
Your “Medicare & You” handbook: Every fall, Medicare mails out a “Medicare & You” handbook to beneficiaries. This guide contains information about health plans, benefits and coverage, beneficiary rights, costs, and more. If you don’t receive the “Medicare & You” handbook in the mail, you can download a copy anytime on the Medicare website.
The Medicare website: On the Medicare website, there’s a search tool that you can use to find out if a test, item, or service is covered. Type in a keyword, and you will receive information about what Medicare covers, in addition to requirements, limits, and costs. If you can’t find information about an item or service, talk to your healthcare professional or contact a Medicare representative to learn more.
A Medicare representative: If you have questions about coverage, you can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227, or 1-800-MEDICARE. Representatives are available 24 hours a day to talk or live-chat.
What options do I have if Medicare doesn’t cover my procedure or service?
If Medicare doesn’t cover a procedure or service, here are some options to consider:
Ask your healthcare professional about payment options. Find out if your healthcare professional offers sliding-scale fees, payment plans, or discounts for self-pay.
See if you qualify for Medicaid. If you have limited income, you may be eligible for Medicaid. Eligibility varies by state, so it’s important to check with your state’s Medicaid program to determine requirements and coverage options. If you qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare, you may be able to pay less out of pocket for healthcare expenses.
Submit an appeal. If Medicare denies you coverage and you believe it was an error, you can appeal the decision. You can increase your chances of winning a Medicare appeal by following the specific directions for the appeals process, including your Medicare number on all documents you submit, and maintaining copies of all documents you submit.
Consider joining a clinical research study. Medicare may help pay for some of your costs if you join a clinical research study to diagnose or treat your condition.
Look into financial assistance programs. If you meet the requirements, you may be eligible to get financial assistance from the hospital or healthcare facility where you receive the procedure or service. Contact your facility to ask about assistance programs.
The bottom line
Medicare provides essential health coverage for adults 65 and older and certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. But there are various services and supplies — such as hearing aids, weight-loss medications, and most vision and dental care services — that aren’t covered. Knowing how to save on these items can help you afford your healthcare costs — even without Medicare coverage.
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References
American College of Prosthodontists. (n.d.). Facts and figures.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2019). Medicare & clinical research studies.
CMS.gov. (2024). End-stage renal disease (ESRD). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
CMS.gov. (2024). NHE fact sheet. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). State overviews. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Foot care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Incontinence supplies and adult diapers. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Long-term care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Medicare & You. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). When does Medicare coverage start? Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Medicare.gov. (n.d.) Your Medicare coverage. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Megellas, M. M. (2006). Medicare modernization: The new prescription drug benefit and redesigned Part B and Part C. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). Nursing homes, assisted living, and home health care.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). VA women’s health services.
