Medicare can take a major healthcare expense off a retiree’s shoulders, but enrolling doesn’t mean every medical bill suddenly disappears. Original Medicare has notable gaps, and even covered care can come with deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that add up during a difficult health year. In fact, Original Medicare generally has no annual out-of-pocket maximum unless you have supplemental coverage, while Medicare Advantage plans operate under different cost-sharing rules. That’s why understanding health costs Medicare doesn’t cover (along with the expenses it covers only partially) can make a retirement budget much more realistic. Here are seven categories worth planning for before the bill lands in your mailbox.
