With more people approaching the age of 65, a growing number of people are considering the potential benefits available from Medicare as well as other insurance options. Medicare A plays the critical role of paying for hospital stays as well as other services like skilled nursing facilities and hospice care. Meanwhile, Part B assists with physician visits and outpatient care.
If you’re close to enrolling in Medicare, you should consider what Medicare covers. By learning what Medicare covers now as well as what it doesn’t, you can begin thinking of alternate strategies to make sure that you receive all of the appropriate care that you need.
Prescriptions
Either Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage can be utilized to pay for subscriptions. Additionally, some healthcare policies exist that can be used to pay for prescriptions. As you get ready to sign up for Medicare, you should get into the practice of looking for policies that will pay for prescriptions. Also, don’t forget to compare prices between available prescription options.
Hearing Equipment
Hearing equipment ranges greatly in price. In 2022, an average pair of hearing aids costs $6,500. Unfortunately, Medicare does not pay for hearing aids nor does it pay for hearing exams. Medicare Advantage Plans exist though that pay for these costs. Additional discount programs also exist that can pay for hearing aids and hearing testing. Some people even utilize Health Savings Accounts to pay for hearing-related costs.
Dental Care
Working teeth are critical for many elderly people. Medicare, however, does not pay for various dental-related costs including teeth cleaning, dental visits, or teeth repair. Sometimes, Medicare Advantage covers various things like cleanings and x-rays. Medicare, however, often utilizes an average coverage limit of around $1,000 or $1,500. Locating a separate insurance policy or another dental discount provider is often a wise choice. Other people place funds in a health savings account before participating in Medicare which lets them use those funds for tax-free dental care. Remember, by the time you are enrolled in Medicare, it’s too late to contribute to a Health Savings Account.
Eye Care
The eyesight of elderly individuals can create many complex issues, but routine eyecare including glasses is not covered by Medicare. While exceptions exist like annual eye exams if someone has diabetes or cataract surgery, Medicare generally does not pay for eye care. Like other subjects that Medicare does not cover, Medicare Advantage Plans can be called on to provide coverage for eye care. You can also rely on money placed in a health savings account to purchase eyewear.