Original Medicare, also known as Traditional Medicare or Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare, is a federal health insurance program that covers most medically necessary services and supplies in hospitals, doctors offices, and other healthcare facilities. It includes two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) . Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care, while Part B helps cover services from doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and many preventive services.

Under Original Medicare, you can go to any doctor, healthcare provider, hospital, or facility that is enrolled in Medicare and accepting new Medicare patients. You generally dont need to choose a primary care doctor, and in most cases, you dont need a referral to see a specialist. However, with a few exceptions, most prescriptions arent covered in Original Medicare, and you can add drug coverage by joining a Medicare drug plan (Part D) .

You generally pay a set amount for your healthcare (deductible) before Medicare pays its share. Then, Medicare pays its share, and you pay your share (coinsurance/copayment) for covered services and supplies. Theres no yearly limit for what you pay out-of-pocket. You usually pay a monthly premium for Part B, which may change each year. You generally dont need to file Medicare claims, as the law requires providers and suppliers to file claims for Medicare-covered services and supplies you receive.

In summary, Original Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers most medically necessary services and supplies in hospitals, doctors offices, and other healthcare facilities. It includes two parts: Part A and Part B, and you can go to any doctor, healt...