You've Been Warned: Medicare Won't Cover These 13 Medical Costs For Seniors

As of July 2025, 68.8 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, and over 90% are 65 years and older, according to Data.CMS.gov. Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage or alternative health plans account for 51.2% of the total enrollees, while 81% have original Medicare with Part D coverage, which includes prescription drugs that can be ordered online, delivered, or picked up at your local pharmacy. That said, it's worth being aware of what Medicare won't cover, especially considering how the cost of Medicare over the next decade may become unaffordable for seniors. Indeed, our research reveals that there are over a dozen items that Medicare won't cover, some of which may surprise you.

While this may sound concerning — especially since big changes coming to Medicare in 2026 will make getting even regularly coverable services and procedures challenging — there may be ways to cover what Medicare won't, mainly through private insurers offering supplemental Medicare plans through Medigap. Although Medigap won't actually cover anything Medicare doesn't, it can offer you some extended coverage, such as for hospital stays or an additional 20% of coverage on a diagnostic hearing exam – which could be particularly useful if you experience age-related hearing loss.

So, although Medicare won't cover everything, you can take some solace in knowing there are ways to amplify your coverage while lowering costs for the things that Medicare does cover. 

Dental care is an outlier where Medicare coverage is concerned, with neither Part A nor Part B paying for any routine visits, procedures like crowns, dentures, bridges, or regular cleanings. According to ValuePenguin, while the average out-of-pocket costs make up 10.4% of spending on other healthcare expenses, the out-of-pocket cost of dental care amounts to 38.9% of expenditure. Nationally, that's $67.6 billion in out-of-pocket expenses out of the $173.8 billion in total dental spending.

While it's true traditional Medicare won't cover many of the routine procedures associated with dental care, necessary prescribed medical treatment — for example, a broken jaw requiring dental work — may be coverable. Some Medicare Advantage plans, like those offered through Aetna, offer network dental benefits through participating dental offices, some of which provide 100% coverage for dental exams, routine cleanings, and other services. That said, most Advantage plans only offer up to $1,500 in dental coverage per year, and cosmetic procedures like whitening aren't covered by Medicare or Medicare Advantage. This is why considering a Health Savings Account (HSA) prior to retirement is a great idea. 

The lack of Medicare coverage for routine eye exams may be another expense to consider. Even prescription eyeglasses and contacts won't be covered by Medicare, unless those prescriptions are related to medical procedures like laser surgery or diabetes-related vision loss. Even in the latter instance, you'll still be on the hook for 20% of the Medicare-approved coverage, which could still be a tidy sum; in 2025, the national average cost of uninsured eyeglasses is $531.

Again, Medicare Advantage plans may offer an alternative way to cover some of the more everyday expenses: according to KFF, at least 97% of Medicare Advantage plans offer some form of vision care. If you're in a lower-income tier, EyeCare America offers a single no-cost eye exam every year, with one year of follow-up appointments with a volunteer ophthalmologist for any issues discovered during the exam. For low-income households seeking no-cost eyewear, organizations like VSP Vision offer gift certificates or vouchers that can be used at participating ophthalmology clinics for an exam and prescribed eyewear. 

According to a 2024 study by AARP, 82% of Americans 50 years old and over believe prescription drugs are too pricey, with 21% of people surveyed spending over $1,000 per year in out-of-pocket costs related to prescriptions. Indeed, the impact of these costs is significant to the point that almost half of the surveyed respondents went without certain prescriptions to save money. As detailed by Visual Capitalist, around 90% of all prescription drugs are imported from foreign markets, with 95% of ibuprofen and 70% of acetaminophen — essential ingredients of commonly prescribed pain relief drugs — coming from China. Considering his on-again and off-again economic sparring with China, it's possible President Trump's proposed tariffs could have a negative impact on your prescription drug pricing.

Although Medicare's out-of-pocket spending cap may save you some money in 2025, you could still be on the hook for up to $2,000 in outpatient prescriptions through Part D or Medicare Advantage Plans. That cost will inch up in 2026 by $100, with Americans enrolled in the Medicare Prescription Payment Program (MPPP) being automatically enrolled unless they formally quit. Also, this doesn't apply to Part B Medicare drug coverage, which includes select outpatient prescriptions and vaccinations. Knowing the best ways to get discounts on prescriptions can help. 

Medicare will not cover long-term care, including assistance with everyday actions like bathing, going to the bathroom, the provision of food, or the administering of daily medications, since it is not considered to be medical in nature. According to the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging, 62% of Americans aged 50 and over are under the impression that Medicare will cover long-term care should they need it. Furthermore, 48% of the same age cohort have no idea how to plan for long-term care, and only 43% of those surveyed think they'll actually need it. This flies in the face of statistics provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in 2019, which found that 70% of Americans who live to 65 years old will likely require some form of long-term care, 48% of whom will require it for the remainder of their lives.

While Medicare won't cover these costs, Medicaid may, or you may source long-term care insurance independently through a private insurer. Once you've figured out coverage for your long-term care, take advantage of these five states with the cheapest assisted living costs for seniors to further manage your costs. 

Cosmetic work is generally the sort of surgery Medicare won't cover for seniors. There are a few exceptions: If the cosmetic surgery is related to an accident, part of a medical procedure to correct the use of an impaired part of your body, or is necessary for breast reconstruction related to breast cancer and a mastectomy, Medicare will cover the cost of your cosmetic surgery. Medicare also covers, on a case-by-case basis, rhinoplasty, injections for muscle disorders, vein ablation, and excess tissue removal on the abdomen or eyelids. However, these all require prior approval by Medicare, otherwise you're on your own for 100% of your coverage. As an elective procedure, or a form of surgery deemed medically unnecessary, something like a facelift isn't going to be covered by any insurer. 

This has led to a new lender market for cosmetic surgery financing, with even bad-credit loans as high as $35,000 being offered by select lenders. While this no doubt helps to grow the average income of plastic surgeons in the U.S., it also increases the potential for cosmetic surgery-related debt; higher-than-average interest rates, hidden fees, and deferral clauses tend to sneak up on unsuspecting borrowers. 

Much like the risk to your Social Security benefits if you leave the U.S. for too long, if you plan on retiring abroad, you need to be aware of the impact on your Medicare coverage. 

Medicare may cover costs related to medical emergencies if you're in the U.S. and a foreign hospital is closer than an American one, or when traveling directly between Alaska and the U.S, and a Canadian hospital is closest. Medicare will also extend coverage — both emergency and non-emergency — to a foreign hospital if it is closer than where you live within U.S. territory. The coverage could also extend to ambulance services to a foreign hospital, but only if that hospital visit is a medical necessity. Even if you receive coverage, you'll pay out-of-pocket expenses relative to what you pay for the same services in the U.S.

Medicare won't pay for an ambulance ride home, related medical services after you've been discharged, or hospital stays not approved for coverage by Medicare. Medicare doesn't cover prescriptions purchased outside the U.S., nor is it the responsibility of foreign hospitals to submit Medicare claims on your behalf. However, Medigap may provide a solution through a private insurance company, which could cover up to 80% of the cost of medical emergency assistance. While travel insurance is often thought of as one of those insurance products nobody really needs, in the case of medical coverage abroad, a product with healthcare coverage may actually be worth your attention. 

Massage therapy has been shown to have positive impacts on those experiencing osteoarthritis and Alzheimer's Disease, so thanks to such health issues associated with aging bodies, there's a built-in market for senior populations. Unfortunately, massage therapy isn't covered by Medicare, so the entire bill will be on you to cover. The average massage in the U.S. costs between $60 and $200, depending on the duration of the therapy, the kind of massage, the region, and your therapist's skill level. At the higher end of the spectrum, a 120-minute massage may cost $250 per session, with specialized techniques like Rolfing costing as much as $300 per session.

Acupuncture is another alternative form of therapy that may cost between $75 and $150 per session, with an initial consultation and treatment costing as high as $300. As with massage therapy, your location, the experience level of the therapist, and the duration of your sessions are a few factors that influence pricing. For instance, the $150 average session can quickly balloon to $300 or more for in-home rather than in-clinic sessions. While Medicare won't generally cover acupuncture, if it's a prescribed form of therapy for a chronic back condition, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of up to 20 sessions per year. 

Medicare will pay for your initial preventive physical exam in the first year of you receiving Medicare, but that first session is mainly about discussing your current medical condition and preventative care. Thereafter, Medicare will cover an annual wellness check, but that isn't the same as a full physical exam; routine physicals aren't covered by Medicare, unless the cause for the physical is directly related to treatment for a specific illness or condition. 

This is a rule actually related to Social Security laws, specifically Sec. 1862. which states "Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, no payment may be made under part A or part B for any expenses incurred for items or services ... which, except for items and services described in a succeeding subparagraph, are not reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to improve the functioning of a malformed body member."

The cost of an annual physical is typically between $150 and $300, and if blood work is part of that, you can add anywhere from $300 to $650 to that bill. If you also want to check your cholesterol, that could be another $130 to $200. So while it's a good idea to know the healthcare benefits you can access for free with Medicare, it's absolutely essential to know ahead of time what you'll have to pay for, so you can plan accordingly.  

If you find that your hearing is going, it may be upsetting to learn that hearing tests and hearing aids aren't something that Medicare will cover. Indeed, Medicare won't even cover the cost of the hearing exam that might otherwise uncover your need for a hearing aid. The cost of a hearing aid can be as low as $100 and as much as $7,000 or more. According to HearingTracker, the average cost in 2025 is around $4,672, which certainly isn't cheap.

There are two exceptions to this rule. If your doctor provides a referral, Medicare Part B will cover a hearing exam once a year, and if you suffer from a prediagnosed, chronic hearing issue or a problem related to a surgically implanted hearing device, Medicare will also cover the cost of a visit to an audiologist once a year without a doctor's referral. Outside of these scenarios, private insurers through Medicare Advantage may provide some coverage. Although over-the-counter hearing devices may not be suitable for more serious hearing conditions, at an average cost of $200 on the lower end, they may be a more affordable option.  

Concierge medicine, where patients pay an annual or monthly membership fee for fast access to medical services — often through private clinics and medical centers — isn't covered by Medicare. This applies specifically to membership fees, as anything Medicare typically pays for will still receive the applicable amount of coverage — assuming the healthcare provider has agreed to accept payment through Medicare for their services. It should also be noted that medical facilities under a Medicare assignment that are engaged in concierge medicine can't tack on extra fees for the services that Medicare normally covers, either. While you may be charged extra for whatever Medicare doesn't cover, your doctor must still provide you with an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN), which explains the medical services provided and why Medicare can't cover them.

However, if the concierge medicine provider hasn't agreed to be paid by Medicare, you may be charged up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved fees. That doesn't include the extras you can be charged for items not covered by Medicare.

Where hospital stays and outpatient services are concerned, Medicare Part A will cover the initial 60 days of your hospital stay with a deductible of $1,676 for admissions in 2025. Meanwhile, Medicare Part B comes with a standard premium of $185 per month and a $257 deductible in 2025. However, medical costs Medicare won't cover for seniors include the very same premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

While the premiums for Medicare Part A are, for the most part, covered by Medicare, the premiums for Part B are not. Aside from the impact Medicare premiums have on your Social Security benefits, a hospital stay longer than 60 days will cost you $419 a day in co-payments up until day 90. After 90 days, that co-payment rises to $838 per day. Keep in mind that, although Medicare will cover up to 60 days past a 90-day hospital stay, you are fully on the hook for 100% of the costs of your stay after that. Also, the $1,676 and $257 deductibles are entirely your responsibility to cover. 

There are all kinds of reasons you may need to see a podiatrist, or even just have a home care professional help you with routine foot maintenance. For instance, due to mobility or cognitive issues, some individuals may need help with trimming their toenails or managing calluses and corns. According to Sidecar Health, the average podiatrist appointment costs between $50 and $100, which fluctuates based on region. If the treatment is associated with medical conditions like diabetes, Medicare Part B may cover up to 80% of the cost.

Outside of this, however, Medicare will provide no coverage for routine foot care, with you having to cover 100% of the cost of this service. If the out-of-pocket cost of routine foot care is of concern to you, non-profit organizations, local senior centers, and even faith-based organizations are good places to find affordable or even free foot care services.  

In 2025, the cost of a chiropractic session in the U.S. ranges from $60 to $200 without insurance coverage. While a standard chiropractic adjustment is closer to the $75 to $100 mark, this can increase to $250 for an initial assessment. Chiropractors will sometimes want to see an X-ray or scan before providing you with therapy, and while the cost of an X-ray is typically covered under Medicare Part B — up to 80% — that's only if the X-rays are deemed necessary by your doctor. So, if you're just looking for a standard chiropractic adjustment that doesn't require the referral or approval of your doctor, and if your chiropractor requests an X-ray before your initial appointment, that's another cost you can expect to carry.

As with massage and acupuncture, Medicare will leave you responsible for covering 100% of the cost of your chiropractic treatments, with just one exception. If you suffer from vertebral subluxation — a condition where your spinal movement is impaired due to vertebrae joint issues — Medicare Part B will cover up to 80% of the cost of your treatment. However, that's still after you meet your Part B deductible.