– Out-of-pocket expenses and shared costs – Should you choose Traditional Medicare, both Medicare Part A (hospitalization coverage) and Part B (outpatient care coverage) necessitate personal financial contributions via out-of-pocket expenses and shared costs. Should your health demands be significant, these costs can become burdensome, and notably, there’s no maximum limit to what you might spend out-of-pocket with Traditional Medicare.
– Standard dental procedures – While Medicare Part A does provide for certain dental procedures that are part of inpatient hospital care, routine dental treatments such as exams, dental radiographs, and cavity fillings are not included. To obtain dental benefits, you must secure a standalone dental insurance plan.
– Vision tests – Medicare excludes vision screenings needed for corrective lenses or contact lenses, as well as the corrective devices themselves. However, Medicare Part B does include coverage for one pair of eyewear or contact lenses post-cataract surgery.
– Auditory support devices – Medicare similarly excludes coverage for auditory assistance devices and the necessary examinations for fitting them.
– Medication coverage – Traditional Medicare Parts A and B exclude medication prescriptions. In order to obtain medicine coverage, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan through a private insurer, or select a Medicare Advantage plan that incorporates prescription drug benefits.
– Protracted care – While Medicare will cover care in a skilled nursing facility if prescribed by a physician following a necessary three-day hospital admission, this coverage is only for a maximum of 100 days and includes a co-payment for each day. Subsequent to this period, you bear the full cost.
– Medical services abroad – When traveling outside the United States and its select territories, Medicare typically does not extend coverage for medical services or supplies, with few exceptions for particular situations.
