Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare will help cover the cost for a patient lift if it has been deemed medically necessary by your doctor. There are a number of different types of lifts and each will have different criteria for you to qualify for coverage.

Medicare does not cover medical alert systems, neither will most insurance carriers, even with a doctor’s written prescription.

Insulin pumps are considered “Durable Medical Equipment,” which is medical equipment ordered by your doctor for use in the home.

Original Medicare does not cover incontinence supplies such as adult diapers and liners. That’s because these supplies are thrown away after use (not durable), and therefore do not qualify as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). However, if you are hospitalized or admitted to a skilled nursing facility, Medicare Part A will cover diapers for you. Medicare Part B does cover other incontinence products like external urinary collection devices and disposable catheters for intermittent, self-catheterization when basic coverage criteria are met and the individual or caretaker can perform the procedure.

Medicare will help cover the cost for a patient lift if it has been deemed medically necessary by your doctor. There are a number of different types of lifts and each will have different criteria for you to qualify for coverage.

Medicare will cover a hospital bed when you can show a medical necessity for the bed. You must also be covered under Medicare Part B and have been assessed by your doctor.

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid publication on Hospice Care, Medicare Part A includes the following services in Hospice Care: Doctor, nursing, and assistive care, Medical supplies and equipment, Medication for pain and symptom control, Physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Dietary, social, and grief counseling; Short-term inpatient and respite care.

Medicare will cover some of the costs of home care. For example, if you only need help with daily activities (cooking, bathing, etc.), Medicare will not cover it. However, Medicare provides coverage for the costs of medical care in the home including help with daily activities if it is part of your doctor’s orders.

In general, Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams. In some cases, diagnostic hearing exams are covered by Medicare Part B, but this is only when they are ordered by a doctor.

In general, Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids of any type. In some cases, diagnostic hearing exams are covered by Medicare Part B, but this is only when they are ordered by a doctor.

Yes, under certain conditions, Medicare will cover weight loss programs.

Medicare will cover administration of the H1N1 flu shot.

No, with one exception: following cataract surgery with an intraocular lens, Medicare helps pay for cataract glasses, contact lenses, or intraocular lenses provided by an ophthalmologist.

Original Medicare does not cover basic eye exams. This doesn’t mean, however, that there is no Medicare vision coverage. Medicare eye exams are covered when the exam has a specific medical reason.

Most of the cost of your power wheelchair is covered under your Original Medicare Part B coverage. But you must meet all the criteria. Medicare Part B will pay up to 80 percent of the cost of the electric wheelchair from a Medicare-approved provider. You will have to meet your yearly deductible.

Routine physical exams are not covered by Medicare. If your Medicare Part B began on or after January 1, 2005, Medicare will cover a one-time preventive physical exam within the first six months of enrollment.

Medicare will cover some dialysis treatments. If you get your coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan, call your plan and ask them what they cover. Your plan must cover at least what Medicare does, and it may cover more.

Medicare will cover the cost of some diabetes supplies. In order for them to be covered, your doctor must prescribe the supplies. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and your Original Medicare Part B deductible applies.

Medicare will cover the cost of one pair of therapeutic shoes (diabetic shoes) and inserts for people with diabetes if you have a medical need for them.

When use of the CPAP is certified by the prescribing physician, Medicare will cover the rental of a single level CPAP device, if during sleep, you temporarily stop breathing. Medicare covers rental of the CPAP for up to 3 months. If you require the CPAP beyond 3 months, it must again be certified by the prescribing physician.

Medicare eye coverage does not extend to covering eye glasses – with one exception. They will cover basic frames and lenses after cataract surgery. This usually only occurs once between each separate eye surgery. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount for the cost of the glasses.

Medicare covers medically necessary commode chairs.

Medicare Part B pays for a chiropractor’s manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (when one or more of the bones of your spine move out of position). Additionally, manual devices (i.e., those that are hand-held with the device being controlled by hand) may be used by chiropractors in performing manipulation of the spine. However, no additional payment is allowed for the use of the device.

Medicare Part B pays for a chiropractor’s manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (when one or more of the bones of your spine move out of position). Additionally, manual devices (i.e., those that are hand-held with the device being controlled by hand) may be used by chiropractors in performing manipulation of the spine. However, no additional payment is allowed for the use of the device.

Medicare Part B covers urological supplies for the treatment of permanent urinary incontinence or permanent urinary retention. Medicare will pay 80 percent of approved amounts from a participating Medicare supplier.

Medicare eye coverage does not extend to covering eye glasses – with one exception. They will cover basic frames and lenses after cataract surgery. This usually only occurs once between each separate eye surgery. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount for the cost of the glasses.

You pay for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount under Medicare Part B. You must pay a deductible for any Medicare Part B services and supplies before Medicare begins to pay its share. If a doctor, health care provider, or supplier does not accept assignment, the amount you pay may be higher.

Medicare will cover a hospital bed when you can show a medical necessity for the bed. You must also be covered under Medicare Part B and have been assessed by your doctor.

Medicare covers medically necessary commode chairs.

Weight loss surgery is growing in popularity. It has helped many people lose weight and can produce dramatic results. Medicare has been covering weight loss surgery for beneficiaries since 2005.

When you decide to go into an assisted living facility, you have options for the type of care you get and how to pay for it. Medicare assisted living financial help is very limited. Medicare does not typically cover long term care such as assisted living costs—but there is separate assisted living insurance.

When you decide to go into an assisted living facility, you have options for the type of care you get and how to pay for it. Medicare assisted living financial help is very limited. Medicare does not typically cover long-term care such as assisted living costs—but there is separate assisted living insurance.