Did You Know? Medicare Benefits Edition
Medicare provides valuable health coverage for millions of Americans, but many beneficiaries are surprised to learn about some of the benefits and resources available to them. Taking a few minutes to better understand your coverage can help you make the most of your Medicare benefits and avoid missing valuable services (Medicare.gov, 2026).
Preventative Care
Did you know Medicare may cover a variety of preventive services for eligible beneficiaries?
Examples include:
- Annual Wellness Visits
- Mammograms
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Diabetes screenings
- Recommended vaccines, including influenza and pneumococcal vaccines
Care Beyond the Doctor’s Office
Depending on your medical needs, Medicare may also help cover:
- Home health services for eligible beneficiaries
- Skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay
- Durable medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, or oxygen equipment, when medically necessary
- Certain outpatient therapy services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Telehealth services for many covered healthcare appointments
Coverage depends on medical necessity and Medicare eligibility requirements.
Programs That May Help Lower Costs
Some Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for programs that help reduce healthcare expenses.
Depending on eligibility, these programs may help with:
- Medicare Part A and Part B premiums
- Deductibles and coinsurance
- Prescription drug costs through the Extra Help program
- Medicare Savings Programs
- Access to additional financial assistance resources
Eligibility requirements apply and vary based on individual circumstances (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], 2026).
Your Coverage May Need an Annual Checkup
Just as your healthcare needs can change, your Medicare coverage should be reviewed regularly.
Consider reviewing your plan if you:
- Started taking new prescription medications
- Changed doctors or specialists
- Moved to a new area
- Experienced changes in your healthcare needs
- Want to confirm your current plan still meets your needs and budget
Reviewing your coverage annually can help ensure you’re making the most of your Medicare benefits.
Original Medicare Doesn’t Cover Everything
Many people are surprised to learn that Original Medicare generally does not cover certain routine healthcare services.
Examples include:
- Routine dental care
- Routine vision exams and eyeglasses
- Hearing aids and routine hearing exams
- Most long-term custodial care
- Healthcare received outside the United States (except in limited circumstances)
Additional coverage options may be available depending on your healthcare needs.
How Harbor Health Can Help
Whether you’re new to Medicare or have been enrolled for years, understanding your benefits can help you make informed healthcare decisions.
At Harbor Health Insurance Services, we can help you:
- Review your current Medicare coverage
- Explain Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D options
- Review prescription drug coverage
- Answer questions about Medicare benefits and enrollment
- Help you understand available coverage options based on your individual needs
Our goal is to help you feel confident in your Medicare coverage and make the most of the benefits available to you.
References:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Medicare & You 2026.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Medicare Savings Programs.
Medicare.gov. (2026). Get Started with Medicare.
Medicare.gov. (2026). Home Health Services.
Medicare.gov. (2026). Preventive & Screening Services.
Medicare Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
