What Medicare Parts A & B Cover for St. Louis Metro Seniors
Understand the basics of Original Medicare & how it works with other coverage options in Belleville, Troy, Webster Groves & nearby areas.
What It Is
Medicare Parts A & B Are the Foundation of Your Coverage
Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you're turning 65 and ready to enroll in Medicare, these are the first pieces you’ll need to understand. At our company, we explain how each part works, what’s covered, and what’s not—so you’re not caught off guard by out-of-pocket costs.
What’s Typically Covered
What Parts A & B Include—& Where They Stop
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care (after a hospital stay), hospice, and some home health services. It usually doesn’t cost anything if you’ve worked at least 10 years.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, lab work, durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs), and more. You’ll usually pay a monthly premium and possibly a deductible and coinsurance.
What’s Not Covered
Neither Part A nor Part B covers prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. You may need to add other types of coverage to help fill those gaps.
Add-Ons That Pair With Parts A & B
What You Might Need Alongside Original Medicare
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Helps cover the deductibles, copays & coinsurance not covered by Parts A & B.
Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Original Medicare doesn’t include drug coverage. We help you add a Part D plan that matches your medications.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
An alternative to Original Medicare that combines hospital, medical & often drug coverage in one plan. We'll help you compare both options side-by-side.
St. Louis Residents Often Ask Us…
Common Local Questions
Whether you’re in Belleville, O’Fallon, Maryland Heights, Chesterfield, or St. Louis, you’ve probably heard neighbors talk about needing "just the basics." But that can be risky without understanding what Original Medicare does not include. Many of our clients come to us with bills they didn’t expect—like ambulance costs or specialist visits—because they didn’t know what Parts A & B left out. We’re here to walk you through it before anything catches you off guard.
Medicare A & B FAQs
Do I automatically get Parts A & B at 65?
If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll likely be auto-enrolled. If not, you’ll need to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. We’ll help make sure nothing gets missed.
Can I use any doctor with Medicare?
Yes, as long as your doctor accepts Medicare assignment. Most providers in southern Illinois and metro St. Louis do, but we’ll double-check for you.
What if I keep working past 65?
You may not need to sign up for Part B right away if you have employer coverage. We’ll help you decide what timing is best to avoid penalties or overlaps.
Is there a deductible for Part A or B?
Yes—each has its own deductible. That’s why many people add a Medigap or Advantage plan to cover those costs.
What happens if I don’t add drug coverage?
You may face a late enrollment penalty if you don’t sign up for drug coverage when you’re first eligible. Even if you're healthy now, we’ll help you plan ahead.
