Which service must all Medicare Advantage plans cover?

All Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover all benefits provided under Original Medicare, which includes Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). This means that, at a minimum, these plans must offer coverage for essential medical services such as inpatient hospital stays, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.

In addition to the required coverage, many Medicare Advantage plans also provide additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as dental, vision, or wellness programs. However, regardless of these extras, the foundational requirement is that they must cover all Original Medicare benefits.

While other options may represent elements of healthcare services related to Medicare, they do not constitute the mandatory coverage that is enforced for all Medicare Advantage plans. For instance, not all plans include Part D prescription drug coverage automatically, as some may choose to offer it separately, and long-term care services are not fully covered under Medicare Advantage plans. Home health care is covered under Medicare but is not a standalone requirement for all Medicare Advantage plans.