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When Medicare benefits were created in 1965, they reflected the restrictions and limitations of most health insurance at that time. The federal law that created Medicare has specific provisions that exclude coverage for certain things, like dental care and routine vision services. Long-term care services are additionally excluded because they do not meet the definition of health care services in the law. Just because something is not covered by Medicare, though, does not mean that it isn’t needed. As we discuss some types of care that Medicare doesn’t cover, we will include information about other ways of accessing or paying for these services.

Hospice is a program of end-of-life pain management and comfort care for those with a terminal illness. In this blog about Medicare-covered hospice, we write directly to patients as if they are the ones taking these actions or making these decisions. However, discussions about hospice often involve caregivers and family members as well. If you are a caregiver, family member, or a patient’s appointed representative, you may be leading these conversations or decisions, rather than the patient.

Preventive care is care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. A service is considered preventive if you have no prior symptoms of the disease. In contrast, diagnostic services address symptoms or conditions that you already have.

Durable medical equipment, also called DME for short, is equipment that helps you complete daily activities. This category is also sometimes called DMEPOS for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies. This blog post will help you understand Medicare’s coverage of DME, DME suppliers, and who to contact for more assistance.

Preventive care is care you receive to prevent illness, detect medical conditions, and keep you healthy. Medicare covers many preventive services, including vaccines. This blog discusses how the different parts of Medicare cover vaccines, along with some important notes about a few common vaccines.

There are many different ways to receive more of your care from your own home. In this blog, we will discuss the services that Medicare covers, how you might access them, and what steps you can take to get started.

It’s good to keep in mind that Medicare covers ambulance trips only when they’re medically necessary and reasonable. But what does "medically necessary and reasonable" mean?