What kinds of health-related services are not covered by Medicare?

What services aren't covered by either Original Medicare – and are unlikely to be covered in Medicare Advantage?

The following are never covered by Medicare Part A or Part B and are unlikely to be covered by Medicare Advantage plans:

• Routine care for the feet – services such as cleaning and caring for nails, or the removal of corns and calluses, are not covered by Medicare. (Medicare does cover feet exams every six months in some circumstances. Treatment of foot injuries or diseases is also covered.)
• Cosmetic surgery – unless it’s necessary because of an injury or to improve the function of a malformed body part. (Medicare will pay for breast reconstruction following a medically necessary mastectomy.)
• Orthopedic shoes – unless they’re required as part of a leg brace. (In addition, Medicare does cover therapeutic shoes and inserts.)
• Services ordered by a chiropractor (e.g. x-rays or massage therapy)

Medicare has strict rules about services it will cover, and it excludes many services from coverage. These rules are specified in the law, so while many commercial insurance plans that cover people who aren’t eligible for Medicare are able to make exceptions to their rules – and choose to cover certain services in certain circumstances – Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) can’t usually do this.

What services not covered by Original Medicare may be covered by Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare Advantage plans may cover the following services that are excluded by Original Medicare:

• Routine acupuncture – although Original Medicare does pay for up to 20 acupuncture visits annually to treat chronic lower back pain.
• Hearing aids and hearing exams
• Routine care for the eyes and eyeglasses – although Original Medicare does pay for a pair of eyeglasses or contacts following cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens.
• Healthcare you need while traveling in a foreign country (Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M, and N also pay a portion of these expenses.)

Because the insurers offering these plans are paid based on what Original Medicare would pay for care, they usually don’t cover additional types of medical care not reimbursed by Original Medicare (e.g. diabetic foot care).

Medicare beneficiaries who don’t want to use Medicare Advantage may choose to purchase private dental or vision insurance so they have coverage for these services.

Which services are covered by Medicare Part D?

These services are only covered under private Part D prescription drug plans (including Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans):

• Vaccinations other than flu, pneumonia, and Hepatitis B – (other vaccinations are covered by Medicare Part D prescription drug plans). When a coronavirus vaccine is developed, Medicare Part B will cover it.
• Outpatient prescription drugs – other than medications used with an item of durable medical equipment, injectable and infused drugs, oral end stage renal disease (ESRD) drugs under certain circumstances, and a few other medications. (Other outpatient medications are covered by Medicare Part D.)

Before the Affordable Care Act, preventive screening exams generally were not covered by Medicare, but numerous screening tests are now covered under Medicare Part B because of the law.

To cover long-term care, some Medicare enrollees purchase private long-term care insurance, although this can be quite expensive. Medicaid provides coverage for long-term care services in every state, and covers a number of other things Medicare doesn’t pay for, like non-emergency medical transportation.