Will Medicare Cover it?
By Daniel Petkevich
Oct 3, 2023
A helpful guide to services excluded by Medicare.
Medicare Part A and Part B cover a wide range of medical services, but certain services and expenses are not covered or only partially covered by these programs. Medicare beneficiaries must understand these limitations and consider additional coverage options like Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plans to help fill the gaps.
Speak with a Medicare Advocate
Here are examples of services Medicare will not cover:
Long-term Care: Medicare generally doesn't cover long-term care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or custodial home care.
Routine Dental Care: Medicare does not cover cleanings, fillings, and dentures. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited dental coverage.
Vision Care: Routine eye exams for glasses or contact lenses are typically not covered. However, Medicare may cover eye exams related to glaucoma or cataract treatment.
Hearing Aids: Medicare does not cover the cost of hearing aids or routine hearing exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans may provide limited coverage for hearing aids.
Cosmetic/Elective Procedures: If a procedure is not medically necessary, Medicare will not cover it.
Routine Foot Care: Medicare does not cover routine foot care like toenail trimming and callus removal unless it is medically necessary due to certain conditions like diabetes.
Prescription Drugs: While Medicare Part B covers some medications administered in a clinical setting, it does not cover most prescription drugs you would take at home. You'll need a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.
Treatment Outside the US: Healthcare services received beyond U.S. borders are not covered. Medicare may cover some emergency treatment when the closest hospital is in a foreign country (e.g., Canada or Mexico).
Home Modifications: Home modifications to accommodate disabilities or for safety reasons are typically not covered by Medicare.
Routine Physical Exams & Labs: Medicare does not cover routine physicals or lab work. However, it does cover an annual wellness visit where preventive services like vaccinations and screenings are discussed.
Alternative Medicine: Medicare generally does not cover naturopaths and other alternative medicine practitioners. However, limited acupuncture and chiropractic visits are permitted to treat low back pain.
Custodial Care: Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, and eating, often provided by home health aides, is not covered.
It's essential to review your specific Medicare plan details and consider additional coverage options, such as Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans, to address your individual healthcare needs. These plans can provide coverage for some of the services and expenses not covered by Medicare. Schedule a chat with one of our Medicare experts to discuss coverage by scheduling an appointment at fairsquaremedicare.com
Recommended Articles
Can I Change My Primary Care Provider with an Advantage Plan?
Aug 25, 2023
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Nov 17, 2022
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Washington, D.C.
Mar 11, 2023
Does Medicare Cover TENS Units?
Nov 23, 2022
How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?
Jan 25, 2023
Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?
Sep 16, 2022
Does Medicare Require a Referral for Audiology Exams?
Nov 22, 2022
How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up
Oct 11, 2022
Can I Choose Marketplace Coverage Instead of Medicare?
May 2, 2023
What You Need to Know About Creditable Coverage
Jan 18, 2023
How Often Can I Change Medicare Plans?
May 5, 2023
Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors
Jan 4, 2023
Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?
Nov 23, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Dec 2, 2022
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Dec 27, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Jan 11, 2023
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
Dec 27, 2022
More of our articles
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
15 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Denver
2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Building the Future of Senior Healthcare
Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans
Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can Medicare Advantage Plans be Used Out of State?
Comparing All Medigap Plans | Chart Updated for 2025
Do You Need Books on Medicare?
Do You Need Medigap if You're Eligible for Both Medicare and Medicaid?
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Boniva?
Does Medicare Cover Cartiva Implants?
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?
Does Medicare Cover ESRD Treatments?
Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Does Medicare cover Hyoscyamine?
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?
Does Medicare Cover Krystexxa?
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?
Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?
Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover RSV Vaccines?
Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?
Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?
Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?
Does Medicare Pay for Allergy Shots?
Does Retiring at Age 62 Make Me Eligible for Medicare?
Estimating Prescription Drug Costs
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
Explaining IRMAA on Medicare
Gap Health Insurance: The Secret Sidekick to Your High-Deductible Plan
How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You
How Does Medicare Cover Colonoscopies?
How Much Does a Medicare Coach Cost?
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
How Much Does Rexulti Cost with Medicare?
How to Become a Medicare Agent
How to Choose a Medigap Plan
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
How to Enroll in Social Security
Is Emsella Covered by Medicare?
Is Fair Square Medicare Legitimate?
Is PAE Covered by Medicare?
Is Vitrectomy Surgery Covered by Medicare?
Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medicare Savings Programs in Kansas
Medigap Plan N vs. Plan G — Which One Fits You in 2025?
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Plan G vs. Plan N
The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
What Does Medicare Cover for Stroke Patients?
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?
What Is the Medicare Birthday Rule in Nevada?
What is the Medicare ICEP?
What People Don't Realize About Medicare
What to Do When Your Doctor Leaves Your Network
What's the Deal with Flex Cards?
When Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans?
When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement
Why You Should Keep Your Medigap Plan
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2026 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M
Fair Square Medicare
