What is the primary focus of Medicare Parts A and B?

The primary focus of Medicare Parts A and B is to provide hospital insurance and medical insurance. Medicare Part A is designed to cover inpatient hospital stays, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. This coverage ensures that individuals can receive necessary hospital services without heavy financial burdens. Medicare Part B, on the other hand, focuses on outpatient care, including doctor visits, preventive services, and other medically necessary services that do not require hospitalization.

This dual structure ensures that beneficiaries have access to essential health services, emphasizing the program’s role in supporting both inpatient and outpatient healthcare needs. By covering these fundamental medical services, Medicare Parts A and B serve as the foundation of the Medicare program, directly addressing the healthcare needs of seniors and certain younger individuals with disabilities. The other options do not accurately reflect the primary functions of Parts A and B; for example, long-term care insurance is not covered by Medicare, and vision and dental benefits are typically not included within these parts.