Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey warns Americans on Medicare about this common mistake

The retirement years inevitably bring health issues so it’s important to make sure you are adequately covered for when things go wrong.

Health care is a priority for all Americans but particularly the ones who are no longer working. Medicare is health insurance for people aged 65 and older although some people may be eligible earlier if they have a disability.

What is Medicare?

The original federal includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Original Medicare covers things such as inpatient hospital care, doctors’ services and tests, and preventive services. You pay for services and items as you get them. You must be lawfully present in the US for Medicare to pay for Part A and Part B covered services.

And bear in mind that there are some things that Medicare doesn’t cover.

Host of The Ramsey Show, Dave Ramsey brought the issue up recently and believes that the current system can be confusing. “You’ve reached your golden years. You’ve got a lot of life under your belt and wisdom under your hat. Things should be easier now. So, why does this dang Medicare feel so confusing?” he wrote on his Ramsey Solutions page. “If Medicare were an outfit, it’d be a bikini. A lot of what Medicare doesn’t cover is also what regular health insurance doesn’t cover. But there’s extra stuff too.”

If you need items or services which Part A or Part B don’t cover, then you’ll probably have to pay for them yourself unless you have other health coverage (eg. Medicare Advantage Plan Part C) or another private plan.

So what doesn’t Original Medicare cover?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is another option for seniors. It is a Medicare-approved health plan covered by private insurance companies and generally covers the same services offered by Part A and Part B, and also includes coverage of prescription drugs (Part D).

Each plan is different (there are currently around 50) so talk to your doctor or other health care provider and ask if Medicare will cover the test, item, or service you need. If not, then inquire about setting up a plan which includes individual coverage for specific health care services.

Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) costs vary depending on the specific plan, the plan provider and the beneficiary’s location. The monthly Medicare Part B premium is $185 in 2025.

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