What Original Medicare covers
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Original Medicare covers things like inpatient hospital care, doctors’ services and tests, and preventive services. You pay for services and items as you get them. You must be lawfully present in the U.S. for Medicare to pay for Part A and Part B covered services.
![Senior Asian woman in red striped shirt facing left](/https/www.medicare.gov/sites/default/files/styles/285h/public/redlady-mgov-home%20%28facing%20left%29.png?itok=TIH_YYuN)
2 ways to find out if Medicare covers what you need:
- Talk to your doctor about why you need certain services or supplies. Ask if Medicare will cover them. What happens if Medicare won’t cover a service I need?
- Check coverage information on your item, service, or supply.
Medicare coverage is based on 3 main factors:
- Federal and state laws.
- National coverage decisions Medicare makes.
- Local coverage decisions made by Medicare claims processing companies in each state. These companies decide if something is medically necessary and Medicare should cover it in their area.
Explore covered items and services and learn what Original Medicare doesn’t cover (like long-term care, dentures, and routine physical exams).
Does my Medicare Advantage Plan cover the same items and services that Original Medicare covers?