Medicare can be lifesaving. It provides many people with coverage they need to be able to lead healthy and full lives. However, Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and it’s important to know what is and isn’t covered by your basic Medicare policy. When you understand the coverage you don’t have, you can make choices to decide whether or not to supplement your basic Medicare policy.
Prescription Drugs
Some people don’t realize that while Medicare will cover many of their appointments and procedures, it doesn’t cover prescription drugs. If you take prescriptions regularly, especially expensive prescriptions, you may want to pay for Part D which can supplement your Medicare by covering important prescription medications. Even if you don’t have expensive medication needs now, Medicare Guide says it is worth it to at least buy a small Part D plan so that your medications will be covered if you need them in the future. Prescription medications can be really expensive, and without coverage, they can really add up over time.
Dental Health
It’s also important to note that Medicare will not provide you with dental coverage. This kind of coverage is essential if you want to keep your teeth in the best possible condition. According to Maccaro Orthodontics, you may be more prone to cavities if you have a poor diet or you have certain genes. Luckily, you can generally find affordable dental health plans if you take the time to look around for them. Most dental plans will cover your semi annual checkups and up to a certain dollar amount of dental work per year.
Hearing Aids
One major issue with Medicare plans is that they don’t cover hearing aids or the appointments leading up to receiving hearing aids, except in particular situations of severe hearing loss. According to Medicare Interactive, this means that you may be responsible for paying for your hearing aids and appointments on your own. Getting a supplementary insurance plan can help you to get that additional coverage if you suspect you might need hearing aids now or in the near future. Talk with an insurance broker to find a supplemental plan that is affordable and helps you to meet your needs.
Medicare can cover many of your health-related costs, but there are some things it simply doesn’t cover. It’s important to make sure that you have appropriate supplemental insurance to take care of everything else. If you aren’t sure what other insurance you should purchase, talk with your doctor about what medical coverage you may need in the future.
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