These are the 3 basic expenses Medicare doesn’t cover that can total over $100K a year. How to plan ahead

But even after Medicare kicks in, there are a number of common health care expenses it won’t cover. In fact, households depending on Medicare spent an additional $7,000 per year on health care for expenses not covered by the program, according to a report published by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2022 (1).

If these numbers worry you, it’s important to know what those expenses are so you can take steps to get ready and have the funds to pay when the time comes.

Here are three health care expenses not covered by Medicare you need to be aware of — and how to prepare for them.

1. Routine dental care

Many older Americans are surprised to learn that Medicare won’t pay for routine dental care.

How much these services cost can vary a lot depending on your oral health, where you live and the provider you go to.

The average cost of a dental cleaning without insurance is $75 to $200, as of 2023 (2). If you have a cavity and need a filling, though, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 to restore one or two teeth with basic dental amalgam. And it’s between $90 and $250 to restore one to two teeth using the costlier composite resin or glass ionomer material (3).

Of course, if you require a more involved procedure, the costs are enough to make your teeth chatter. A root canal will set you back $1,500 for a molar (4), while dentures average around $1,300 without insurance (5).

2. Vision exams and care

Medicare doesn’t cover vision care, and that can get pricey. A routine eye exam costs about $136 on average without insurance, according to Vision Center (6). But at least you can save by going to a retail chain: Walmart Vision Centers start at $75, and Sam’s Club exams can go as low as $45.

If you need a new pair of glasses, that could cost you a bundle, too.

Readers.com puts the average cost of prescription eyeglasses without insurance at around $350 (7). But costs vary significantly depending on the frames you choose and the type of lenses you need.

Either way, it’s eye-opening stuff.

Join a savings group for older Americans

At this point, one thing should be clear: Rising health care costs, in combination with uncertain markets, can make it harder to stretch your fixed income to cover those unexpected necessities like dental work or new glasses.

So, if you’re already unsure how to budget for extra health expenses as you get older, joining a savings group for older Americans can help keep your expenses low. Many programs provide discounts on vision, hearing and other health services.

Joining a senior-focused organization like the AARP for discounts on prescriptions and dental plans — as well as travel, entertainment and insurance — can help keep your budget manageable.

As one of the most trusted organizations for older Americans, AARP not only offers money-saving perks, but they can also help you make informed financial and health decisions.

AARP members get access to guides that can help you make the most of Social Security, choose the right Medicare plan and uncover other government benefits — potentially saving you thousands.

Sign up with AARP today and get 25% off your first year.

Stretching those retirement finances

If you’re looking for more ways to stretch your income, it might be worthwhile to fine-tune the details of your budget with a service like Rocket Money to get a firm grip on your finances.

Rocket Money tracks and categorizes your expenses, providing a clear view of your cash, credit and investments in one place. It can even help you cut unnecessary costs by uncovering pesky, forgotten subscriptions and possibly reduce your annual expenses by hundreds.

For a small fee, the app can also negotiate lower rates on your monthly bills, making it a valuable tool for keeping your finances on track in the long term.

3. Long-term care

Speaking of long term, you may eventually need some form of long-term care — whether that’s a home health aide to help with daily tasks, an assisted living community or a nursing home. Medicare won’t cover these costs because they aren’t considered medical services.

If you do have to pay for long-term care needs on your own, these are the yearly costs you may be looking at, according to CareScout (8):

• $77,796 for a home health aide
• $70,800 for an assisted living community
• $111,324 for a shared nursing home room
• $127,750 for a private nursing home room

With costs so high, it’s difficult to imagine most older Americans will be able to pay for their care out of pocket. That’s why an insurance plan should be a key part of your budgeting for your golden years.

Finding the right long-term insurance

With GoldenCare’s long-term care insurance, you can get things like nursing homes, assisted living and other daily-living aids covered so you and your loved ones don’t have to pay with your hard-earned savings or rack up more health-related debts.

While traditional health insurance covers certain medical needs of older Americans, such as prescriptions and doctor visits, long-term care insurance covers health needs specific to older ages, like assistance with daily bathing and meals.

All you have to do is fill in a bit of information about yourself, and GoldenCare will provide you with a free quote for long-term care coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Your HSA to the rescue

Now that we’ve looked at a few of the health expenses not covered by Medicare, it’s time to find a way to pay for them.

Perhaps the best place to start is by contributing to an HSA during your working years and reserve that money for retirement. HSA funds never expire, and any money you contribute but don’t use right away can be invested for tax-free growth.

Fidelity puts the average cost of health care in retirement for a 65-year-old worker ending their career today at $172,500 (9). This figure accounts for Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs, as well as expenses Medicare doesn’t cover. However, it does not factor in dental services and long-term care.

For this reason, it could be a good idea to max out your HSA contributions if you can afford to. In 2026, that means contributing up to $4,400 for individual coverage, or $8,750 for family coverage (10). If you’re 55 or older, you can even add $1,000 to whichever limit applies to you. Note also that HSA limits change from year to year.

Do you qualify for an HSA?

This assumes, of course, that your health insurance plan is compatible with an HSA.

To qualify in 2026, you need a minimum $1,700 deductible for individual coverage, or $3,400 for family coverage (10). You also need an out-of-pocket maximum no bigger than $8,500 with individual coverage, or $17,000 for family coverage. Like HSA limits, the rules for deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums change annually.