What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare is divided into parts that cover different types of care. Part A is hospital insurance and helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Part B is medical insurance and covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab tests, and durable medical equipment. Together, Parts A and B make up Original Medicare.

Part D adds prescription drug coverage through private plans, and Part C, known as Medicare Advantage, bundles Parts A and B (and usually Part D) into a single plan offered by private insurers, often with extra benefits. Coverage details, costs, and rules vary by the path you choose.

Medicare does not cover everything. Routine dental, vision, hearing aids, and most long-term custodial care are generally not covered by Original Medicare, though some Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits. Understanding these gaps helps you plan. A licensed Medicare advisor can explain what each part covers and help you decide whether added coverage makes sense for you.

It also helps to know that Medicare covers many preventive services, such as screenings, an annual wellness visit, and certain vaccines, often at no cost to you. Taking advantage of these benefits can help you stay healthy and catch issues early. Knowing what is covered, and where the gaps are, makes it easier to budget for care and choose any additional coverage that fits your needs.