What is Original Medicare?
Original Medicare is the foundation of the Medicare program. It’s the health insurance coverage provided directly by the federal government (once you become eligible for Medicare).
In 1965, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law, which officially established Original Medicare as we know it today.
Original Medicare consists of TWO parts:
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Medicare Part A – Often called hospital insurance, which helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.
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Medicare Part B – Often called medical insurance, which helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab work, and other medically necessary services.
Original Medicare provides broad coverage for many medical and hospital services, and for most people, it accounts for a significant portion of their overall healthcare needs. However, it was not designed to cover every type of care or every cost. Because of these built-in gaps, additional coverage options exist to help address expenses that Original Medicare does not pay for on its own.
Click Below to continue learning about Medicare Parts A and B.