Medicare won't cover these 3 retirement health costs — and one can top $129,000 a year

Medicare won't cover these 3 retirement health costs — and one can top $129,000 a year Aleksandar Malivuk/Shutterstock Maurie Backman Wed, June 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM GMT+7 6 min read Many Americans count the days until they turn 65 for the same simple reason: that’s when Medicare kicks in. But Medicare has some significant gaps, and only finding out about them after you’ve retired is not only a nasty surprise — it’s a very expensive one, too. Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — here are 5 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here’s where their money is actually going Here’s what you need to know about three of the most common (and most expensive) healthcare expenses Medicare won’t cover. Together, they can easily run you six figures a year (1). Knowing what’s coming, and saving for it now, can make a real difference. 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. A standard dental cleaning without insurance runs about $100 to $250, according to Healthinsurance.org (2). If you have a cavity and need a filling, you can expect to pay between $50 and $150 to restore one or two teeth with dental amalgam. It’s between $90 and $250 to restore one to two teeth using composite resin or glass ionomer material. Of course, if you require a more involved procedure, the costs will be even higher. The average cost of a root canal (3) is around $1,200. The cost of dentures (4) runs anywhere from $450 to $12,000-plus, depending on the type needed. Medicare doesn’t cover vision care, and that can get pricey. Without insurance, a comprehensive eye exam (5) typically costs $100 to $250, though the price can go higher depending on your provider and location. You can save by going to a retail chain — Walmart Vision Centers start at $65 (6), and Sam’s Club exams start as low as $45 (7). Read More: Here are 4 fixed costs Americans constantly overpay for. How many are sabotaging your budget? If you need a new pair of glasses, that could cost you a bundle, too. A complete pair of prescription eyeglasses (8) without insurance typically runs $200 to $600. Costs can vary significantly depending on the frames you choose and the type of lenses you need. Eventually, you may need some form of long-term care — whether that’s a home health aide to help with daily tasks, an assisted living community, or even a nursing home. Medicare won’t cover these costs because they aren’t considered medical services. If you have to pay for long-term care needs on your own, these are the yearly costs you may be looking at, according to CareScout’s 2025 Cost of Care Survey (1): $80,076 for a non-medical caregiver (home health aide), based on 44 hours per week $74,400 for an assisted living community $129,576 for a private nursing home room Since Medicare won’t pay for all of your future healthcare needs, it’s a good idea to contribute to an HSA during your working years and reserve that money for retirement. HSA funds never expire, and any money you contribute and don’t use right away can be invested for tax-free growth. Fidelity puts the average cost of healthcare in retirement (9) for a 65-year-old ending their career today at $172,500. This figure accounts for Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs as well as expenses Medicare doesn’t cover. However, it doesn’t factor in dental services and long-term care. It could be a good idea to max out your HSA contributions if you can afford it. 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 (and not yet enrolled in Medicare), you can add $1,000 to whichever limit applies to you. Note that HSA limits change from year to year. This assumes, of course, that your health insurance plan is compatible with an HSA. To qualify this year, you need a minimum $1,700 deductible for individual coverage or $3,400 for family coverage. 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. If you’re not eligible for an HSA now but switch health plans in 2027, you may be eligible in the new year. Otherwise, you can increase your IRA or 401(k) plan contributions to account for not just general retirement expenses, but healthcare needs as well. If you’re still years from retirement, figuring out what your future healthcare costs will look like can be tough. Your current spending isn’t a great guide — your employer may be covering a big chunk of your bills now, and your heal

Medicare won't cover these 3 retirement health costs — and one can top $129,000 a year

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