Original Medicare doesn't cover everything

If you need items or services Part A (Hospital Insurance) or Part B (Medical Insurance) don't cover, you'll have to pay for them yourself. Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include long-term care, eye exams, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, and most dental care.

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:

• Long-term care
• Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
• 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 a doctor or other provider that has opted out of participating in Medicare (except in the case of an emergency or urgent need)
• Most dental care: In most cases, Original Medicare doesn't cover dental services like routine cleanings, filings, tooth extractions, or items like dentures. However, in some cases, Original Medicare may pay for some dental services closely related to certain services like:
  • A heart valve repair or replacement
  • An organ transplant
  • Cancer-related treatments
  • Dialysis services for the treatment of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)