Original Medicare helps cover medical services like hospital stays, doctor visits and outpatient care. However, it doesn't cover prescription drugs or dental, vision and hearing services. Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover the cost of a nursing home , assisted living or long-term care facility. Medicare Part A does cover care provided in a skilled nursing facility with certain conditions and time limitations.
Original Medicare (parts A and B) does not cover all healthcare services, including vision, hearing, and dental care. However, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer coverage for some of these services. Original Medicare does not cover routine physical exams. Before renting or purchasing any medical equipment, be sure to ask if the retailer or supplier participates in Medicare.
Here’s a closer look at what isn’t covered by Medicare, plus information about supplemental insurance policies and strategies that can help cover the additional costs, so you don’t end up with unexpected medical bills in retirement. These plans include all your Part A and Part B coverage and often provide extra coverage for services not included in Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans provide both medical and drug coverage through a private insurer, and they may also provide additional coverage, such as vision and dental care. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps cover the cost of medically necessary durable medical equipment if your doctor prescribes it for use in your home.
If you set aside money in a health savings account before you enroll in Medicare, you can use the money tax-free at any age for glasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses and other out-of-pocket costs for vision care. These coverage gaps can be filled with additional parts of Medicare, such as Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, or a PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) plan. See Medicare Rules for Home Health Care for information about Medicare’s strict rules for covering home health care. If your foot treatments occur in a hospital outpatient setting, you will also pay a hospital copayment.
Generally, Medicare Part A (also known as hospital insurance) can cover inpatient hospital care, nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care and home healthcare. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, in addition to all the benefits provided by Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare covers most health care needs for older Americans, from hospital care and doctor visits to lab tests and surgery. Agents represent specific Medicare insurers, can help select a plan, and offer customer service after enrollment.
But some Medicare Advantage plans provide vision coverage, or you may be able to buy a separate supplemental policy that provides vision care alone or includes both dental and vision care.
