Original Medicare does not cover all health care costs for seniors. While it covers most hospital and medical costs, you still have to pay premiums and a deductible — along with 20% of copays or coinsurance for doctor visits and other services or items after meeting your deductible. You also have copays for hospitalization beyond 30 days. You can add a Medigap plan that helps cover most out-of-pocket costs.
Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs. You have to buy a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to help cover the costs of your prescriptions.
And Original Medicare does not cover long-term care costs. But, you can buy long-term care insurance from private insurers.