Medicare does not offer comprehensive coverage, but it does have some very valuable benefits that can help you afford health care services. If you are planning to enroll in Medicare soon, you should know what benefits you qualify for with Part A and Part B Medicare coverage. This is what Medicare covers.
Original Medicare Coverage
Original Medicare covers the basic health care needs of its beneficiaries. The program is split into two separate components, Part A hospital insurance and Part B medical insurance. Here is what each component covers:
Part A: Part A Medicare benefits are classified as hospital insurance. Therefore they provide assistance paying for health care services that occur within a hospital setting. This includes inpatient care in a hospital, care that occurs in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care. If you have Part A coverage, you may be required to pay copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles for approved health services.
Part B: Part B Medicare benefits are classified as medical insurance. This component of your Medicare benefits offers assistance paying for medically necessary services and preventive services. Medically necessary services include any services or supplies that may be needed to diagnose or treat a health condition of yours, while preventive services are any health care services performed to prevent illness at an early stage. Your Part D insurance will also provide help paying for clinical research studies, ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and mental health care.
Additional Medicare Coverage
Outside of Original Medicare, there are other coverage options. For example, people enrolled in Original Medicare can supplement their policy by picking up Part D prescription drug coverage. With Part D coverage, they will have access to a large selection of drugs at affordable prices. They can also get help paying for out-of-pocket health care expenses by purchasing a Medicare Supplement Insurance Policy. With Medicare Supplement Insurance, beneficiaries have their copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance partially or fully paid by their policy provider.
What Isn’t Covered By Medicare
Medicare does not automatically cover prescription drugs. As mentioned previously, you will need Part D coverage for that. It also doesn’t cover long-term care, though it does help with some skilled nursing services. Routine dental, hearing, and vision care are also not covered by Medicare, meaning you will need to maintain separate policies for these health care needs.
Find Medicare Coverage
Medicare coverage can help you afford the health care services you need. Contact the Medicare experts at The Fussell Group to find the right Medicare plan for you. Reach out to us now to schedule a consultation.