What Medicare doesn't cover
The gaps are predictable. Plan for them before you need them.
Original Medicare covers a lot, but some of the most common needs in retirement aren't on the list. Knowing the exclusions in advance lets you decide which ones to insure, which to budget for, and which to cover another way.
What Original Medicare doesn't cover
- Most dental care, including cleanings, fillings, extractions and dentures.
- Eye exams for prescribing glasses, and most glasses and contact lenses.
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.
- Long-term custodial care, such as help with bathing, dressing and eating, at home or in a nursing home.
- Routine physical exams (though the yearly wellness visit is covered).
- Cosmetic surgery.
- Most care outside the United States.
- Most prescription drugs, unless you have Part D or other drug coverage.
The 20% with no ceiling
Besides services Medicare excludes, there's the cost of services it does cover. After the deductible, Part B usually pays 80% and you pay 20%, with no yearly limit. For a long hospital stay, Part A's daily coinsurance applies. This open-ended exposure is the gap most people insure first, through Medigap, a Medicare Advantage plan's out-of-pocket limit, retiree coverage or Medicaid.
Ways to fill the gaps
- Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage, for prescriptions.
- Medigap, to cover deductibles and coinsurance with Original Medicare. Six Medigap plans also cover some emergency care abroad.
- Medicare Advantage plans, some of which include limited dental, vision or hearing benefits. Check limits, networks and annual maximums.
- Standalone dental, vision or hearing coverage, or discount programs.
- Long-term care insurance, a hybrid life insurance policy with a long-term care benefit, savings, or Medicaid for people who qualify.
- Travel medical insurance for trips abroad.
Common questions
Generally no, except one pair of glasses or contacts after cataract surgery with an intraocular lens. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer vision benefits.
Part A covers short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay, up to 100 days per benefit period. It doesn't cover long-term custodial care, and Medigap doesn't either.
No. Medigap policies cover Medicare-covered services only (plus foreign travel emergencies in some plans). They don't add dental, vision or hearing benefits.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- What's not covered by Part A & Part B, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Long-term care, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Travel outside the U.S., Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Compare Medigap plan benefits, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.