Which item is NOT covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B)?
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why A is correct
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the examinations needed to fit them, because they are treated as routine devices rather than medically necessary treatment of illness or injury. This is one of the common exclusions that creates the famous gaps in Original Medicare coverage, along with routine dental care, most eyeglasses, and long-term custodial care. Inpatient hospital care is covered under Part A, physician visits are covered under Part B, and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers is covered under Part B when medically necessary. Medicare Advantage plans may offer hearing benefits as an extra, but Original Medicare does not.
Why the other options are wrong
- B) Inpatient hospital care is a core Part A benefit, so it is covered by Original Medicare.
- C) Physician office visits are core Part B benefits, subject to the annual deductible and coinsurance.
- D) Durable medical equipment prescribed by a physician is covered under Part B when medically necessary.
Memory hook
Medicare covers hospitals and doctors, but the hearing aid is a gap the beneficiary fills alone.