Medicare won't pay for 24-hour home care or for meals delivered to your home. Nor does it cover so-called “activities of daily living”, such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, eating, or moving from one place to another inside the house. These coverage gaps can be filled with additional parts of Medicare, such as Medicaid plans, Medicare Advantage (Part C), or a PACE (Comprehensive Care Program for the Elderly) plan. See your Medicare summary notice, the statement of claims you receive from Medicare, for more information about whether you paid your claims and the steps to appeal a denial.
If you save money on an HSA before you sign up for Medicare, you can make tax-free distributions at any age to reimburse for exams, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescription sunglasses, and other related out-of-pocket expenses with eye care. Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospitalizations, stays in skilled nursing facilities, surgeries, palliative care, and even some home health care. Medicare Part A (also known as hospital insurance) can generally cover inpatient hospital care, nursing facility care, nursing home care, palliative care, and home health care. If you qualify, Medicaid, which is administered by states according to federal guidelines, can cover nursing home care.
Part A provides coverage for inpatient stays in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, some home care, and palliative care at the end of life. It also doesn't cover help for what are called “activities of daily living,” such as bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, eating, or moving from one place to another in the house. For example, Medicare doesn't cover breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons, but it does cover reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. Medicare provides coverage for some skilled nursing services, but not for custody care, such as help with bathing, dressing, and other activities of daily living. Medicare covers a wellness visit once every 12 months (a full 11 months must have passed since your last visit) and you are eligible for this benefit after receiving Part B for at least 12 months.
Medicare Part B (health insurance) helps cover the cost of medically necessary durable medical equipment if a doctor prescribes it for use at home.
