Original Medicare-Part A and Part B
Original Medicare is offered through the U.S. government. You can't be denied coverage due to your health. Furthermore, you may see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare assignment. No referrals are required.
It includes the following two components:
Part A: Hospital Services
- Inpatient Hospital Care
- Inpatient Mental Health Care
- Skilled Nursing Services
- Home Health Services
- Hospice Care
- No limit to cost sharing paid by individual
Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes when they were employed.
Part B: Physician and Outpatient Services
- Physician services and limited preventive care
- Outpatient hospital services
- Outpatient mental health services
- Lab services / Ambulance
- Durable medical equipment (i.e. wheelchairs)
- Outpatient therapy (physical, occupational, speech)
- Infusion and chemotherapy drugs
- No limit to cost sharing paid by individual
Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. The monthly premium for Part B is based on your income and is updated every year. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement benefits check. If you don’t receive any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium.
If you enroll late in Medicare Part B, you will pay a monthly penalty premium for the rest of your life.
Services Not Covered by Part A or Part B
- Routine or annual physical exam*
- Dental*, vision*, hearing*, fitness*
- Routine foot care* / Routine eye care*
- Hearing aids* / Personal comfort items*
- Long term care for assisted living
- Medical care when traveling outside the U.S.*
*(May be covered as a standard or optional service through a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement plan. Otherwise, you will need to obtain a separate policy for coverage.
For additional information, you can download a copy of the Medicare and You Handbook. It is updated annually and available in a number of different formats and languages.
By contacting the phone number on this website you will be directed to a licensed agent.