Medicare, while essential to millions of Americans, as it is a health insurance program that helps people 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities or specific medical conditions, does not cover all expenses or health care.

This is despite the increase in Medicare spending, which reached more than $1,029.8 million in 2023, as reported on their website.

This is important to keep in mind in order to plan ahead for expenses on services and supplies not covered by Medicare. For this reason, Newsweek, in collaboration with the GoodRx platform, compiled a list of things that Medicare does not cover.

Services and Supplies Excluded by Medicare

The following are some of the most common services and supplies that are not covered:

Dental Care. Medicare does not cover most dental procedures, including dentures and cleaning services. It only covers treatments considered medically necessary.

Weight-Loss Medications. Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are not covered by Medicare unless prescribed to treat a specific medical condition.

Long-Term Care.

Long-term care services, such as personal assistance for daily activities, are not covered by Medicare or its supplemental insurance, Medigap. Eye and hearing care. Medicare generally excludes expenses for eyeglasses, routine eye exams, and hearing aids, although there are limited exceptions in specific cases. Cosmetic surgery. Medicare does not cover, for example, cosmetic procedures such as facelifts or eyelid surgery, which are related to aging, or Botox injections. Foot care. Medicare covers expenses related to routine foot care, such as callus or dead skin removal, nail trimming or removal, and callus removal.

Adult diapers. The program does not cover the cost of adult diapers or incontinence supplies. Under Medicare, these items are considered for personal hygiene purposes and not for medical treatment.

Options for paying for expenses not covered

There are several ways to finance costs that Medicare does not cover. Here are some alternatives:

Using savings accounts. Consider using a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to cover health care expenses.

Alternative health plans. Exploring Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans may help reduce out-of-pocket expenses associated with health care.

Financial assistance.

Inquire about financial assistance programs or Medicaid benefits if you qualify for additional support.

Resources for additional information

For those who want more information about what Medicare covers, we recommend consulting:

“Medicare and You” Handbook: An annual guide sent to beneficiaries detailing rights, benefits, and coverage options.

Medicare website: A search tool allows you to check coverage for specific items and services.

Medicare representatives: Beneficiaries can contact Medicare directly to resolve questions about coverage and available services.