Published by: RetireGuide®
Medicare Part A and Part B cover a variety of services, including inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, preventive services, home health care, and ambulance transportation. Additional services such as vision and dental care may be available through a Medicare Advantage plan.
What Services Are Covered by Medicare?
People enrolled in Original Medicare have access to a range of inpatient and outpatient services.
For example, Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital, home health care, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice services.
Medicare Part B covers two main types of services: Medically necessary services or supplies and preventive services such as flu shots and cancer screenings. Clinical research, mental health services, durable medical equipment, and ambulance transportation are all covered by Medicare Part B.
All Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer the same services as Original Medicare but offer additional services such as dental and vision care.
Medicare Preventive Services
Most Medicare beneficiaries are 65 and older. It’s important for this age group to stay on top of their health care, including taking measures to prevent illness or detect diseases at an early stage when treatment is more effective.
Medicare Part B offers preventive services to help you stay healthy in retirement. Many of these tests or screenings are fully covered by Medicare while others require cost-sharing for the beneficiary such as a copayment, coinsurance, and a deductible.
Once you enroll in Medicare Part B, you have 12 months to receive a free “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam, according to AARP.
After you’ve been enrolled in Medicare Part B for a year, you are eligible for an annual wellness visit to build or update your prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors.
Medicare preventive services include:
- Flu shots and vaccines
- Lab tests and screenings
- Cancer screenings, including mammograms and prostate exams
- Diabetes screenings and self-management training
- Bone mass measurements
- Health monitoring, counseling, and education
- Nutrition therapy services
- Welcome to Medicare preventive visit and yearly wellness visit
Preventive Vaccine Coverage
Vaccines are included under Medicare’s preventive services. Beneficiaries are covered by several preventive vaccines, including an annual flu shot. Medicare typically pays for the entire cost of the vaccine if it’s under coverage.
While Medicare does not cover all vaccines, some can be received if they are related to the treatment of a condition. Other vaccines are available through Part D prescription drug plans.
Durable Medical Equipment Under Medicare
Medicare does cover durable medical equipment (DME). DME is typically a non-disposable item or type of equipment that assists with a medical condition. Examples include wheelchairs, canes, or walkers, all of which Medicare can cover.
Medicare typically will not cover any disposable, temporary items or equipment that’s more substantial, like a hospital bed.
Common Types of Durable Medical Equipment
- Wheelchairs
- Canes
- Walkers
- Hospital beds
- Crutches
As with other items covered by Medicare, DME must be considered medically necessary for you to use for it to be covered.