By the time seniors reach 65, most will have a good idea of what their health insurance covers. However, Medicare is a different ballgame. There are many surprising things that it doesn’t cover. It’s important to understand what your Medicare coverage will pay for and what it will not. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. It covers people with certain chronic conditions and disabilities. However, it doesn’t cover everything, including:

1. Routine dental exams

Although Medicare provides some coverage for dental benefits during hospital stays, it doesn’t cover basic dental care, including cleanings, X-rays, and fillings. If you want to get coverage, you’ll have to buy a separate policy. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be able to get some dental coverage through it. However, it’s important to note that these benefits may be limited.

2. Deductibles and coinsurance

If you have original Medicare, both Part A and B insurance policies require you to pay out-of-pocket for certain medical expenses. This can be costly if you have medical needs, as there’s no cap on the amount that you can spend on original Medicare. Medicare Advantage, which is a type of private insurance program that’s offered by the federal government, also requires you to pay a certain amount of coinsurance and deductibles. Although there’s a maximum out-of-pocket limit for this type of insurance, it can be as high as $7,550 in 2022.

3. Long term care

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, a person who turns 65 today has a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term care in the future. Medicare doesn’t cover this type of care if it’s the only type of care that you need. Some Medicare Advantage plans may provide some limited benefits, such as in-home help. However, there are currently only a few plans that provide this type of coverage.

4. Prescriptions drugs

If you have Medicare Part A and B, you’re not able to get prescription drug coverage. If you want to receive this benefit, you’ll have to buy a Medicare Advantage plan or a private insurance company’s prescription drug coverage. Although Medicare does not require you to buy drug coverage, if you don’t have other creditable coverage, then you’ll be required to pay a late enrollment penalty. This penalty will be charged for the rest of your life, and it’s important to make sure that you keep getting and keeping qualified coverage once you’re eligible.

5. Overseas health care

If you’re not in the U.S. or certain territories, Medicare doesn’t cover supplies and health care in certain circumstances. However, if you have a medical emergency while traveling between states, and a hospital in Canada is closer to your destination than a facility in the U.S., Medicare may pay for your care. If you’re in a country that doesn’t have a similar insurance program, then you’ll need to find additional coverage.

6. Hearing aids

Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or the exams that are required for them. There’s a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would have added hearing aid coverage to Medicare, but it hasn’t made it through Congress. If your doctor thinks you need hearing aids, Medicare will pay for diagnostic hearing tests. If you need more hearing coverage, you may be able to get some through Medicare Advantage or United Healthcare Medicare.

7. Routine eye exams

Medicare doesn’t cover eye exams for contact lenses or glasses. It does, however, provide coverage for one pair of glasses or contacts following cataract surgery. After the Part B deductible has been set at $233 in 2022, you’ll pay 20% of the cost. It is expected to be $226 in 2023. If you need vision benefits, you may be able to purchase extra coverage for it through Medicare Advantage or United AARP Medicare plans.