Medicare Part B is used to cover medically necessary services and preventative services. Your Medicare part B coverage helps cover the cost from most medical serviceMedicare Part B is known s, this includes:
- Doctor and nursing services
- Outpatient care
- Durable medical equipment
- Preventative services
However, Medicare doesn’t cover everything seniors will likely need. This article answers the most frequently asked questions Medicare users have about their coverage. You may find that you’ll either need additional Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage. You’ll find answers to your questions on:
- Dental coverage
- Hearing aid coverage
- Eye exam coverage
- Ambulance and emergency care coverage
- Assisted living coverage
- Hospice care coverage
- Chiropractic coverage
- Shingles vaccinations
Medicare Part B Premium Changes For 2021
Marketplace still hasn’t released estimates for Medicare’s 2021 coverage. Luckily, a recent provision has been put in place to limit premium increases to 25% of what premiums have previously been.
Last year, Medicare part B premiums rose to an average of $144.60 in 2020. Premiums for 2021 average around $148.50, which increases the premiums by $3.90.
The average annual deductible for 2021 is $203, with a small increase of $5 from 2020’s deductible cost.
Also Read: Open Enrollment 2021: Changes You Need To Know About
Does Medicare Cover Dental
No, your Medicare Part B coverage will not cover the cost of most dental care. This includes:
- Supplies
- Cleanings and fillings
- Tooth extractions
- Dental implants, dentures, or dental plates
If you just have basic Medicare coverage, Medicare part A covers dental services you receive while in the hospital. This means if you have an emergency or a complicated dental procedure and need emergency hospital care, Medicare will cover it.
How To Get Dental Coverage With Medicare
Many seniors require more complicated, not to mention expensive, procedures like dental implants. Your Medicare part B won’t cover your dental services. So you’ll need a separate health plan for your dental coverage.
Since you already have health coverage with Medicare, you won’t need to look at the other stand alone marketplace health plans. However, Marketplace does offer stand alone dental plans. This means you will have to pay a separate premium for dental coverage.
Does Health Insurance Cover Hearing Aids
No, Medicare plan B does not cover hearing aids, fittings, or exams. Quality hearing aids can range from $1,600 to $6,500. With many seniors requiring hearing aids, it would make sense to assume Medicare covers it.
How To Get Coverage For Hearing Aids
There are only 5 states (Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) that require insurance to provide full coverage for hearing aids. To get coverage for your hearing aids, exams, and fittings, you’ll need to find a separate health plan.
Some plans may not have full coverage for hearing aids, so if you’re looking into a private health plan, be sure to look specifically into their hearing coverage.
Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams
No, medicare part B does not cover routine eye exams for glasses or contact. However, your Medicare part B will cover an annual eye exam if you’re a diabeteic or are at high-risk for glaucoma. Your part B coverage will also cover preventive tests for common eye diseases like lucentis, aflibercept, and ocular photodynamic therapy.
Also Read: A Guide For Recently Diagnosed Diabetics
Does Health Insurance Cover Ambulance
Yes, any medically necessary ambulance rides to the hospital are covered. Medicare part B will also cover ambulance rides to critical hospitals and certain nursing facilities.
Does Medicare Cover Assisted Living
No, Medicare does not cover assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or other long-term facilities. Medicare health services are provided to assisted living residents, but doesn’t cover your residency or day-to-day care.
Under specific circumstances, short-term stays at care facilities can be covered. If a doctor believes you need more specialized care after a minimum 3 day hospitalization, you can receive coverage to temporarily stay in a nursing home.
This coverage gives you 100 days of covered care at a Medicare-certified nursing facility. The coverage only works if you were formally admitted to a hospital for 3 days. It does not apply to assisted living facilities, as they do not provide skilled nursing or intensive medical care.
Does Medicare Cover Hospice Care
Yes, under certain circumstances, Medicare part B will cover hospice stays. To qualify, a hospice doctor and your doctor will have to confirm that you are terminally ill, with less than 6 months to live.
Agreeing to hospice care, you’re also agreeing to palliative care. This means you’re seeking to care rather than cure your illness. You must also sign a statement saying you choose this route instead of other Medicare-covered treatments for your illness and other conditions. Your hospice coverage includes:
- Pain relief and symptom management including drugs
- All medical, nursing, and social services
- Medical equipment for pain relief and symptom management
- Aide and homemaker services
- Spiritual and grief counseling
Medicare does not cover room and board for hospice care in your home or another facility. You will also have to pay some copays for certain drugs and procedures.
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Services
Yes, Medicare part B will cover some chiropractor services if it’s medically necessary to correct a subluxation. Your Medicare won’t cover other services or tests ordered by your chiropractor such as X-rays or acupuncture.
If you do need coverage to help with pain management and realignment, Medicare will cover physical and occupational therapy. Be sure to check with your Medicare provider before you seek these services.
Also Read: Is Naturopathic Medicine Covered By Health Insurance?
Does Medicare Cover Shingles Vaccine
No, Medicare part B does not cover the shingles vaccine. If you have Medicare part D coverage, you may be eligible for shingles vaccination. Most part D plans cover preventative shots like shingles.
Want To Know More About Your Medicare Coverage?
It can be difficult to navigate through Open Enrollment. If you need help comparing Medicare plans, or if you want to speak to someone to answer something we didn’t cover in this article, call Quote Purple. We can get you in touch with a trusted partner who can help you with anything you need today.
Also Read: A Step-By-Step Guide To Prepare For Open Enrollment 2021