The coverage Medicare was never built to include.

Original Medicare covers almost no routine dental, vision, or hearing care. DVH stand-alone plans fill that gap with coverage for cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, glasses, contacts, hearing aids, and audiology visits. Most plans have annual maximums of $1,000 to $2,000 and waiting periods for major services.

Hospital indemnity insurance pays a fixed cash benefit directly to you for each day you are hospitalized. Typical benefits range from $200 to $1,000 per day, depending on the plan. This is not health insurance — it is designed to help offset the copays, deductibles, and non-medical costs that come with a hospital stay, especially useful with Medicare Advantage plans that have per-day hospital copays.

These plans pay a lump-sum cash benefit when you are diagnosed with a covered condition such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. The benefit is paid directly to you and can be used for any purpose: treatment costs not covered by Medicare, transportation, childcare, or everyday bills while you recover. Some plans also pay smaller benefits for outpatient surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Final expense insurance is a permanent life insurance policy designed to cover funeral costs, outstanding medical bills, and other end-of-life expenses. Typical coverage ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. These policies are fully guaranteed — no medical exam, level premiums that never increase, and a death benefit that never decreases. Approval is usually straightforward even with health conditions.

Short-term recovery care plans provide daily cash benefits when you need skilled care after a hospital stay or illness. Benefits can be used for home health care, assisted living facility stays, or skilled nursing facility stays. These plans bridge the gap between what Medicare covers and what recovery actually costs, including non-medical expenses like meals, transportation, and caregiver support.