The Medicare program is the national insurance plan for people 65 and older and for people with specific disabilities or chronic conditions. It helps pay for medical expenses, including hospitalization and doctor visits. Medicare does not cover every expense related to healthcare, however. Many expenses fall outside the patient assistance programs. Everyone should take the time to understand how Medicare works, what it covers, and what it doesn’t. Here are some common things that Medicare does not cover:

1. Routine eye exams

Medicare does not cover routine eye exams, glasses, or contact lenses. You may have to pay for an eye exam out of pocket if you need one. It’s important to have your eyes checked regularly to keep them healthy. If you have a vision impairment, you can enroll in Aetna Health Insurance’s Medicare Advantage plan to help cover your eye care.

2. Hearing aids

Hearing aids are not covered by Medicare. You may have to pay for it out of pocket if you need to have it. Hearing aids are important for many people. If you’re hearing impaired and want to enroll in Medicare Advantage, consider enrolling in Aetna Health Insurance’s Medicare Advantage plan to help cover your costs. Hearing loss is one of the most common age-related health conditions and affects more than 50 million people in the United States.

3. Routine dental exams and dentures

The Medicare program does not cover routine dental exams or work, including fillings, crowns, and dentures. Medicare also doesn’t cover the cost of basic dental services, such as cleanings, extractions, and X-rays. It does cover some dental work that is not routine, such as root canals, crowns, and bridges.

4. Long term care

Long term care is medical assistance for the elderly and disabled. It is designed to help them stay as independent as possible, even with a long-term illness or disability. The long-term care program is voluntary and not covered by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are designed to pay for your Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (physician services) expenses. Still, they only cover some of your long-term care expenses. You can add a supplemental policy that covers some or all of your long-term care needs.

5. Prescription drugs

Medicare does not cover prescription medications. You may be able to get a Medicare Part D plan that will help pay for your prescriptions. If you have a Medicare Part D plan, you will have to pay for the prescriptions yourself. You can get prescription drug coverage through your plan if you have Aetna Health Insurance. It is important to understand what your plan covers and how much you will pay for prescription drugs.

6. Overseas health coverage

The Medicare program does not cover most medical expenses incurred outside the United States. For example, if you go to a foreign country for medical treatment, Medicare will not pay the bills. If you have to use your vacation time or sick days to get the treatment, Medicare may not pay. Also, United HealthCare Medicare does not cover most medical expenses incurred while traveling outside the United States.