Final answer:
Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, long-term care, most dental and vision care, hearing aids, or cosmetic procedures. Despite Part A covering some hospital costs, it requires deductibles and has no out-of-pocket maximum.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicare does not cover a range of expenses which are important for many beneficiaries. While it helps millions of Americans, specifically those over the age of 65 or with certain disabilities, there are notable "gaps" in its coverage. Among things not covered by Medicare are prescription drugs, long-term care, most dental care, eye examinations related to prescribing glasses, dentures, cosmetic surgery, acupuncture, and hearing aids and exams for fitting them. Medicare Part A offers some hospital expense coverage but requires deductibles and co-payments, and it has no limit on total out-of-pocket expenses. This has led to criticism as many beneficiaries still face significant healthcare costs.