Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, and some younger individuals with disabilities. It consists of Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
What Is Original Medicare?
Original Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people who are 65 or older, as well as some younger individuals with disabilities or specific health conditions. It consists of two parts:
Hospital Insurance
Helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people pay $0 premium if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
Medical Insurance
Helps cover doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical supplies. Most people pay the standard premium of $202.90 in 2026. Higher-income beneficiaries pay more through IRMAA.
What Original Medicare Covers
- Inpatient hospital care (semi-private room, meals, nursing, drugs)
- Skilled nursing facility care (up to 100 days per benefit period)
- Hospice care for terminal illness
- Home health care if you are homebound and need intermittent skilled nursing or therapy, ordered by your doctor
- Doctor visits and outpatient care
- Preventive services (flu shots, cancer screenings, annual wellness visits)
- Emergency ambulance services
- Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers)
- Mental health services (outpatient)
- Laboratory tests and X-rays
What Original Medicare Does NOT Cover
- Prescription drugs (need Part D)
- Routine dental care or dentures
- Routine eye exams, eyeglasses or contacts
- Hearing aids or related exams
- Most care while traveling outside the U.S.
- Long-term custodial care
- Cosmetic surgery
- Most chiropractic services
- Routine foot care
Official Medicare Handbook
The official Medicare & You 2026 handbook from CMS covers everything about Original Medicare, costs, coverage, and your rights as a beneficiary.
Download: Medicare & You 2026Enrolling in Original Medicare
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window: the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month itself, and the 3 months after.
If you don't enroll during this window and don't have other creditable coverage, you may face late enrollment penalties and gaps in coverage.
Filling the Gaps
Original Medicare doesn't cover everything — you'll still be responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. To help cover these gaps, consider: