Does Medicare cover vitamins and supplements?

Which vitamins does Medicare Part D exclude?

Medicare drug coverage (Part D) excludes prescription vitamins and mineral products, except prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations. CMS's Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual gives these examples of excluded prescription vitamin and mineral products, in a table that CMS says isn't a complete list:

• B vitamins, such as folic acid and cyanocobalamin
• Vitamin K (phytonadione)
• Vitamin D (ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol)
• Zinc (sulfate, acetate)
• Iron, including injectable or IV iron products such as iron dextran, iron sucrose and sodium ferric gluconate
• Iodine, including potassium iodide products
• Multivitamin additives for parenteral nutrition

Which vitamin and mineral products can Part D cover?

A Medicare drug plan may cover products that aren't excluded, if they're on the plan's drug list (formulary). CMS's manual names these:

• Prenatal vitamins and fluoride preparations, which are exceptions to the exclusion of prescription vitamins and minerals.
• Vitamin D analogs such as calcitriol, doxercalciferol and paricalcitol, when used for a medically accepted indication. CMS limits the vitamin D exclusion to products made of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and/or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).
• Prescription niacin products, which CMS says are FDA-approved drugs used to treat dyslipidemia, not nutritional supplements; CMS doesn't consider them prescription vitamins.
• Electrolytes and replenishers (potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium), which CMS's table says may be covered under basic Part D; potassium iodide products are excluded as iodine products.

Does Medicare cover over-the-counter vitamins and supplements?

No, not under Part D. CMS says the definition of a Part D drug doesn't include over-the-counter products, so Part D plans can't cover them under their basic benefit or as a supplemental benefit. CMS's coverage table also lists medical foods as not covered under basic Part D; it describes a medical food as a food formulated to be consumed or given enterally under a physician's supervision for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition with distinctive nutritional requirements, and not regulated as a drug.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover over-the-counter drugs that Part D doesn't cover, as an extra benefit. The Medicare & You handbook says these benefits are generally limited, so check with the plan before you join. See what Medicare covers over the counter.

Does Medicare Part B cover vitamin shots?

Medicare Part B generally covers a drug only if it meets several requirements, including that it's given incident to a physician's service, isn't usually self-administered, and is reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the illness or injury according to accepted standards of medical practice. CMS's Medicare Benefit Policy Manual says charges for medications, such as vitamins, given simply for the general good and welfare of the patient and not as accepted therapies for a particular illness are excluded from coverage.

The manual also uses vitamin B-12 to illustrate its limit on excessive medications: the accepted standard of medical practice in the maintenance treatment of pernicious anemia is one vitamin B-12 injection per month, and Medicare contractors exclude the entire charge for injections given more often unless special medical circumstances justify them. In most cases, after you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay up to 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for Part B drugs.

Does Medigap or Medicare Advantage change vitamin coverage?

Medigap plans sold after 2005 don't include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers, most include Medicare drug coverage (Part D), and some offer extra benefits; rules and costs vary by plan. See what extra benefits Medicare Advantage plans can offer.