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.
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
What is the Medicare ICEP?
Apr 7, 2023
Do All Hospitals Accept Medicare Advantage Plans?
Apr 11, 2023
The Fair Square Bulletin: October 2023
Oct 2, 2023
Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?
Nov 18, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?
Nov 22, 2022
Does Your Medicare Plan Cover B12 Shots?
Aug 15, 2022
What is Plan J?
Jul 14, 2025
Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?
Nov 23, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?
Dec 9, 2022
How to Compare Medigap Plans in 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Do I Need to Renew My Medicare?
Nov 29, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?
Jan 10, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Dec 27, 2022
Medigap Plan N vs. Plan G — Which One Fits You in 2025?
Jul 14, 2025
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Philadelphia
Mar 7, 2023
2024 Cost of Living Adjustment
Nov 13, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Jacksonville
Mar 3, 2023
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Columbus
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis
14 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Seattle
14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte
20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Can I Laminate My Medicare Card?
Can I switch From Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Denied Coverage? What to Do When Your Carrier Says No
Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Dental and Vision?
Does Medicare Cover an FMT?
Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Cold Laser Therapy (CLT)?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Disposable Underwear?
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
Does Medicare Cover Ilumya?
Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Krystexxa?
Does Medicare Cover Light Therapy for Psoriasis?
Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover LVAD Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Medical Marijuana?
Does Medicare Cover Nuedexta?
Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?
Does Medicare Cover Physicals & Blood Work?
Does Medicare Cover Qutenza?
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?
Does Medicare Cover Tymlos?
Does Medicare Cover Urodynamic Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Vitamins?
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Xiafaxan?
Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?
Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?
Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?
Does Your Plan Include A Free Gym Membership?
Estimating Prescription Drug Costs
Fair Square Client Newsletter: AEP Edition
Finding the Best Dental Plans for Seniors
Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors
Gap Health Insurance: The Secret Sidekick to Your High-Deductible Plan
How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?
How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up
How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
How Much Does Medicare Part B Cost in 2025?
Is Botox Covered by Medicare?
Is Displacement Affecting Your Medicare Coverage?
Is Emsella Covered by Medicare?
Is HIFU Covered by Medicare?
Is PAE Covered by Medicare?
Is the Shingles Vaccine Covered by Medicare?
Is Vitrectomy Surgery Covered by Medicare?
Medicare Advantage MSA Plans
Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Medicare Supplement Plans for Low-Income Seniors
Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?
The Easiest Call You'll Ever Make
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
What If I Don't Like My Plan?
What Is a Medicare Advantage POS Plan?
What To Do If Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued
What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare
What's the Deal with Flex Cards?
Why Is Medicare So Confusing?
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. © 2025 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