4 ways seniors can prepare for surprise medical costs, according to experts

There are multiple ways in which seniors can protect themselves against surprise medical expenses. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images

Rising medical expenses, longer life spans and gaps in Medicare coverage are leaving many retirees exposed to expensive medical costs they hadn't planned on.

If you're 65 and planning to retire this year, for example, you can plan on paying an average of $172,500 in healthcare and medical expenses throughout retirement, according to Fidelity's 2025 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate . Those costs can be substantially higher if long-term care is ever needed.

The report shows that 20% of Americans admit they never considered health care costs during retirement. And many seniors mistakenly believe Medicare will cover most of their medical bills. While traditio