What Does Medicare Actually Cover? 15 Questions People Ask

What Does Medicare Cover? 15 Common Questions Answered

Wondering what Medicare covers? Get answers about hospital care, doctors, prescriptions, dental, vision, hearing, home health and more.

What Does Medicare Actually Cover?

One of the biggest Medicare misconceptions is believing that Medicare pays for everything. It doesn't.

Understanding what's covered—and what isn't—can help you plan for healthcare expenses.

FAQ

Does Medicare cover hospital stays?

Medicare Part A generally helps cover eligible inpatient hospital services.

Does Medicare cover doctor visits?

Yes. Part B generally covers medically necessary physician and outpatient services.

Does Medicare cover preventive care?

Medicare Part B covers many preventive services when eligibility and coverage requirements are met.

Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?

Standard outpatient prescription drug coverage generally comes through Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D.

Does Medicare cover dental care?

Original Medicare generally doesn't cover most routine dental care.

Does Medicare cover vision?

Original Medicare doesn't generally cover routine eye exams and many routine vision expenses.

Does Medicare cover hearing aids?

Original Medicare generally doesn't cover hearing aids.

Does Medicare cover long-term nursing home care?

Medicare generally doesn't provide comprehensive long-term custodial care coverage.

Does Medicare cover home health?

Certain home health services may be covered when Medicare requirements are met.

Does Medicare cover hospice?

Medicare Part A can cover eligible hospice care.

Does Medicare cover medical equipment?

Part B can cover certain medically necessary durable medical equipment.

Does Medicare cover care outside the United States?

Original Medicare generally doesn't cover healthcare outside the U.S., although some supplemental policies can provide limited foreign travel emergency coverage.

Does Medicare cover everything my doctor recommends?

Not necessarily. Coverage depends on Medicare rules, medical necessity and applicable coverage determinations.

Why do people buy supplemental coverage?

Supplemental coverage can help address certain expenses that Original Medicare doesn't fully pay. Medigap, for example, can help pay certain Medicare cost-sharing expenses.

What's the most important lesson?

Don't assume that "Medicare covers it" means Medicare pays 100%.

Understanding your cost-sharing responsibilities is just as important as understanding the benefits.