Traditional Medicare (Parts A and Part B) does not cover routine dental care, dentures, hearing aids, most eyeglasses, routine eye care, certain vaccinations and routine foot care. Long-term custodial care, either at home or in a nursing home, is also not included in Medicare coverage. If participants travel outside the United States, their health care needs generally will not be covered by Traditional Medicare. Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are considered part of the United States. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) do not cover hospice care because it is covered by Traditional Medicare, even for those in Part C plans.
In rare cases, Medicare can pay for inpatient hospital services received in Canada or Mexico. Medicare can pay only if:
1. A beneficiary lives in the United States near a foreign hospital, and needs emergency or nonemergency medical treatment. If a foreign hospital is closer or easier to get to from a beneficiary's home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the condition, Medicare may pay for the services.
2. A beneficiary is in the United States with a medical emergency. If a foreign hospital is closer or easier to get to than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency, Medicare may pay for the services.
3. A beneficiary is crossing through Canada without delay between Alaska and another state, and experiences a medical emergency. If a Canadian hospital is closer or easier to get to than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency, Medicare may pay for the services.
Some Part C plans may provide worldwide benefits in a foreign country. Beneficiaries should check with their insurance provider.
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