What Medicare Doesn't Cover — and How to Fill the Gaps
Medicare is a strong foundation, but it leaves out more than most people expect — and the gaps show up fast the first time you need a dentist, an audiologist, or a specialist.
I help clients across Fitchburg, Madison, and Dane County add the right supplemental coverage to round out their protection, working across multiple carriers to match each product to each person.
The Coverage Medicare Leaves Out
Original Medicare was never designed to be a complete health plan. Routine dental care, eye exams, prescription eyewear, and hearing aids are largely excluded — and there's no built-in protection if a serious diagnosis disrupts your income or drains your savings. Ancillary coverage fills exactly those gaps.
Here's a quick look at what I can help you add.
Dental, Vision & Hearing Plans
Most Medicare enrollees are surprised to learn that routine dental cleanings, eye exams, glasses, and hearing aids aren't covered under Original Medicare. Standalone dental, vision, and hearing plans make these everyday expenses manageable without requiring you to switch your entire Medicare coverage.
Cancer & Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Medicare covers a significant portion of treatment costs — but not the financial pressure that comes alongside a serious illness. Cancer and hospital indemnity plans pay cash directly to you when you're diagnosed or hospitalized, giving you flexibility to cover lost income, travel, household bills, or anything else that doesn't show up on a medical invoice.
Life Insurance
Whether you're looking to cover final expenses, leave something behind for family, or simply close out a financial obligation, I can help you find a life insurance policy that fits your situation. As an independent broker, I'm not tied to any single carrier — which means I compare options across the market rather than steering you toward one product.
Short-Term Health Insurance
If you're between coverage — waiting for Medicare to begin, between jobs, or in a transition period — short-term health insurance can provide a bridge. It's not a permanent solution, but it fills a specific gap when you need something in place quickly.
What We Offer
One Advisor for All of It
Managing multiple insurance products doesn't have to mean dealing with multiple companies, call centers, and hold times. When you work with me, I coordinate across all your supplemental coverage from one relationship. Questions, changes, renewals — you call me, not a carrier hotline.
That's true for your Medicare coverage and for every ancillary product we put in place alongside it.
- Independent broker with no carrier loyalty — I recommend what fits, not what pays more
- Multiple carrier relationships for each ancillary product category
- Annual reviews included — your supplemental coverage gets revisited alongside your Medicare plan
- Licensed in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Texas, Arizona, and Washington
- Free consultations — the premium is the same whether you come through me or go direct to a carrier
Common Questions About Supplemental Insurance
Does Medicare cover dental care?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally does not cover routine dental care — cleanings, fillings, extractions, or dentures. Some Medicare Advantage plans include dental benefits, but coverage varies widely by plan and provider network. Standalone dental insurance is often the most reliable way to make sure you have consistent dental coverage regardless of which Medicare plan you're on.
Can I get hearing aids covered under Medicare?
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a hearing benefit, but the allowance and covered devices vary. Standalone hearing plans or supplemental coverage through select carriers can fill this gap and give you more flexibility in choosing the hearing aids that work best for you.
What is hospital indemnity insurance?
Hospital indemnity insurance pays you a fixed cash benefit when you're hospitalized — regardless of what Medicare pays the provider. You receive the money directly and can use it however you need: for copays, lost income, transportation, or household expenses. It's designed to address the financial disruption of a hospital stay, not just the medical bills.
What supplemental insurance do I need with Medicare?
It depends on your health, your budget, and what Medicare plan you're on. Most people benefit from at minimum a dental and vision plan. If you have Original Medicare with a supplement, a cancer or hospital indemnity plan can add meaningful financial protection. I review each client's full picture before recommending anything — there's no standard answer that fits everyone.
Does it cost more to use an independent broker for supplemental coverage?
No. By law, the premium for any insurance plan is the same whether you purchase it through an independent broker or directly from the carrier. Working with me costs you nothing extra — and it means you have an advocate who can compare options across multiple carriers instead of presenting you with a single choice.
Not Sure Which Coverage You're Missing?
A free consultation is a good place to start. We'll look at what you already have, identify what Medicare leaves uncovered for your situation, and talk through which supplemental products — if any — make sense to add.