Original Medicare Leaves Health Costs Uncovered

Federal senior health coverage will still leave many common aging expenses outside standard benefits in 2027, making separate budgeting essential before retirement.
Long-term custodial care will remain a major gap: limited skilled nursing or some home services may qualify, but home, assisted living, and nursing care won't.
Routine dental, vision, glasses, contacts, and hearing aids will typically stay uncovered; exceptions apply to certain medical needs, leaving many retirees to seek separate insurance.
Care abroad, elective cosmetic work, over-the-counter items, routine foot care, and convenience costs during treatment will also fall outside coverage, aside from narrow medical exceptions.
Before retirement, compare alternate plan or supplemental benefits carefully, and budget separately for likely gaps, including long-term care, dental, vision, hearing, and incidental expenses.