10 Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover

4. Overseas care

Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans offer virtually no coverage for medical costs incurred outside the U.S. ​​

Solution: Some Medigap policies cover certain overseas medical costs. If you travel frequently, you might want such an option. In addition, some travel insurance policies provide basic health care coverage — so check the fine print. Finally, consider medical evacuation (aka medevac) insurance for your adventures abroad. It’s a low-cost policy that will transport you to a nearby medical facility or back home to the U.S. in case of emergency. ​​

5. Podiatry

Routine medical care for feet, such as callus removal, is not covered. Medicare Part B does cover foot exams or treatment if it is related to nerve damage because of diabetes, or care for foot injuries or ailments, such as hammertoe, bunion deformities and heel spurs.

Solution: If you face these costs, you may want to set up a separate savings program for them. 

6. Cosmetic surgery

Medicare doesn’t generally cover elective cosmetic surgery, such as face-lifts or tummy tucks. It will cover plastic surgery in the event of an accidental injury or if needed after another treatment, such as breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.

Solution: If you face these costs, you also may want to set up a separate savings program for them.

7. Chiropractic care

Original Medicare does not cover most chiropractic services or the tests that a chiropractor orders, including X-rays. Medicare Part B does pay for one chiropractic service: manual manipulation of the spine by a chiropractor or other qualified provider to correct a vertebral subluxation, which is basically a partial dislocation of a spinal vertebra from its normal position. 

Solution: Some Medicare Advantage plans will cover chiropractic services, so check with your plan. Some chiropractors offer payment plans to help you pay for this care.

8. Massage therapy

​Original Medicare doesn’t cover massage therapy, often used to help reduce chronic pain, although research suggests it may provide short-term, but not long-term, relief. When it comes to pain management, Medicare does cover chiropractic care in certain limited circumstances (see above) as well as physical and occupational therapy when prescribed by a doctor. Some Medicare Advantage plans might cover some massage therapy. It’s best to call your plan to find out if it does.​​

​​Solution: See whether your health care provider can recommend a pain management strategy that Medicare does cover. If you are set on getting massage therapy, the likelihood is you’ll have to pay for it yourself​.​

9. Nursing home care

​Medicare pays for limited stays in rehab facilities — for example, if you have a hip replacement and need inpatient physical therapy for several weeks. But if you become so frail or sick that you must move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, Medicare won’t cover your custodial costs. (Nursing homes average about $90,000 a year for a semiprivate room and more than $100,000 for a private room. Costs vary based on where you live and what facility you choose.)​​

Solution: Planning for nursing home care is a big issue, with lots of choices and decisions. But for those with limited income and savings, Medicaid might help fill in the gaps.

10. Concierge care

Some physicians and their practices require a membership fee in order for them to treat you. They advertise that this makes them more responsive and available to their patients. The fees, which can run in the thousands of dollars a year, vary depending on the concierge or boutique practice. Medicare will not cover these fees. Note that once you’ve paid that fee, if your doctor participates in Medicare he or she must offer all the services Medicare does with the same copays and coinsurance rules applying.

Solution: You can either pay the fee or find another doctor. You might talk to your physician about the terms of when you have to pay. Some states have laws that provide consumer protections for these arrangements.