Original Medicare generally covers medically necessary services but has significant gaps, excluding most routine dental care, hearing aids and exams, routine vision care, and long-term care.
While Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers many essential medical services, it leaves several common healthcare needs without coverage. These typically include routine dental checkups and procedures, hearing aids and the exams needed to fit them, and routine eye exams for glasses or contact lenses. Long-term care, such as nursing home care or custodial care, is also generally not covered. Understanding these exclusions is key to planning for potential out-of-pocket costs.
This information is for educational purposes and does not guarantee coverage for specific services; always verify with your plan and provider.
What are the main categories of services Original Medicare doesn't cover?
The primary coverage gaps in Original Medicare include most dental care, hearing aids, routine vision care, and long-term custodial care. These are services often considered routine or preventative rather than medically necessary for treating an illness or injury.