Medicare is a social insurance program sponsored by the federal government that provides medical care to individuals 65 years old and above, those with a certain disability, end-stage renal disease, and permanent kidney problems. In many cases, it covers all of your medical expenses and some of your prescription expenses. If you or your spouse are eligible for Medicare, you’ll want to take note of these services that the government health insurance plan doesn’t cover:

1. Prescription medications
Most Medicare beneficiaries must pay the entire cost of their prescription drugs. This is true even if they have registered for an enrollment in Medicare and have private health insurance through a job or their spouse’s employer. However, anyone eligible for Part D has the option to receive coverage for prescription drugs from their private plan at no cost to them. But this does not apply to all medicines; there are specific medications and classes of drugs that Part D cannot cover on a generic basis unless your doctor prescribes them in a brand-name product.

2. Dental exams
While Medicare does not cover routine dental exams, it may cover other care you need because of dental problems discovered during an exam. If you do not have dental insurance, you may want to set up a separate savings account to pay for future dental work. Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover basic dental care, including exams and cleanings.

3. Dentures
Medicare does not cover dental services, including dentures. However, anyone who needs a complete upper set of teeth or has missing front teeth may be able to get coverage for the restorative portion of their dentures, and dental implants are available to anyone at any age if the individual is disabled.

4. Out of country health care
Medicare does not cover anything that occurs outside of the United States. If you have a severe illness while traveling overseas, Medicare won’t cover your medical bills abroad or back home. To protect yourself against high hospital bills in other countries, buy traveler’s health insurance before you leave the country. The risks of paying for a healthcare provider’s service when traveling is too high, and many people find it necessary to purchase insurance to cover the additional expenses that might be required.

5. Regular eye exams
You won’t be covered for most routine eye exams if you’re getting your Medicare coverage. This will include the exam itself and the glasses you buy afterwards. Medicare will only cover an eye exam if an ophthalmologist recommends it or if there is something wrong with your eyes that requires further examination.

6. Long term home care
Medicare covers short-term nursing home stays after a hospital stay or when you are home recovering from an illness or injury. Long-term care, designed to support you in your own home, is not covered by Medicare.

7. Hearing aids
Hearing aids can usually be bought and paid separately from insurance coverage, but they are not something that Medicare provides. Depending on the hearing aid, you may still have to pay something extra out-of-pocket or purchase additional coverage on your own.

As you can see, Medicare is not a simple program. It often becomes confusing as to what is covered, what isn’t and how much things will cost before they are done. Getting this straightened out and on track helps to work with an insurance professional who knows Medicare inside and out.