Does Medicare Cover Your Medical Needs? Here’s What You Need to Know

Navigating the world of healthcare can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding what Medicare will and won’t pay for. If you’re approaching eligibility for Medicare or are already enrolled, it’s important to know what’s covered, what’s not, and where you can turn for additional financial support.

Understanding Medicare Coverage

Medicare is divided into several parts, each covering different types of healthcare services. Knowing the difference is crucial to planning your healthcare finances effectively.

• Medicare Part A primarily covers hospital services, which include hospital stays, nursing facility care, and some home health services. In most cases, if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working, you won’t pay a premium for Part A.

• Medicare Part B is known for covering medical services such as preventative services, doctor visits, outpatient care, and some home health services. Part B comes with a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and typically covers 80% of medically necessary services after the deductible is met.

• Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage Plans, are offered by private insurers and cover Part A and Part B benefits. They often provide additional coverage such as vision, hearing, and dental services. Keep in mind the cost and coverage vary widely between plans.

• Medicare Part D helps with the cost of prescription drugs. Like Part C, these plans are also offered by private companies and have various coverage options and pricing.

Services Not Covered by Medicare

While Medicare provides extensive coverage, it doesn’t cover everything. Some common services that are not covered by Medicare include:

• Long-term care (such as custodial care in nursing homes)
• Most dental care
• Eye examinations related to prescribing glasses
• Dentures
• Cosmetic surgery
• Acupuncture
• Hearing aids and exams for fitting