The different parts of Medicare cover cancer treatments, medications, and some types of cancer screening. However, a person will still be responsible for some of the cost, and the total out-of-pocket expenses will vary.
Medicare Part A covers in-hospital treatments, such as surgery, and Medicare Part B covers medical care, such as consultations and outpatient visits. Depending on which part of Medicare is funding the care, different out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Medicare also pays for some chemotherapy drugs through Part D.
This article will explain Medicare’s coverage of different cancer treatments and screening methods.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Medicare parts A, B, C, and D can cover different aspects of cancer treatment.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A covers eligible cancer treatments involving an inpatient hospital stay. For example, it may cover the following:
- inpatient chemotherapy
- inpatient hospital stays for surgery to remove or treat cancer
- skilled nursing facility care after a 3-day hospital stay
- home healthcare, such as physical and occupational therapy
- surgically implanted breast prostheses after a mastectomy when the surgery takes place at an inpatient facility
- hospice care
- blood transfusions
- some costs of clinical research in hospital settings
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B may cover a variety of outpatient cancer services and treatments, such as:
- outpatient chemotherapy, such as treatment at an infusion center
- radiation therapy at an outpatient center
- some oral chemotherapy
- outpatient surgery, such as the implantation of a port for chemotherapy
- durable medical equipment, such as a walker or supplemental oxygen
- tests to diagnose or evaluate cancer treatment, such as CT scans
- equipment for external nutritional support at home, such as feeding tubes and pumps
- some costs of medical research as an outpatient
- external breast prostheses after a mastectomy
- breast implants after a mastectomy, when the surgery takes place on an outpatient basis
- certain screenings
- doctor’s office visits
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
A person with Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, must have at least the same coverage as a person with Original Medicare, which comprises parts A and B. However, rates and rules may differ from Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans may also bundle Part D into their coverage to cover the cost of prescription medications. For example, if Medicare Part B does not cover a drug and a person has Medicare Part D, this portion may cover the costs.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs, such as anti-nausea drugs and pain medications, which a doctor may prescribe for someone with cancer. Most Medicare drug plans have a list of the drugs they cover.
Depending on the circumstances, a person may receive chemotherapy drugs orally, by injection, or
Medicare covers chemotherapy for cancer treatment as long as the person’s doctor confirms that the treatment is medically necessary. Hospitals and clinics will usually administer chemotherapy, but some people also receive this treatment at home.
Medicare Part D sometimes covers chemotherapy if someone takes the medications orally. It also covers other cancer drugs.
Medicare Part B usually covers 80% of outpatient cancer-related services, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, after a $257 deductible. The insured person is responsible for paying the remaining 20% of the costs.
Medicare Part A covers inpatient expenses related to cancer treatment. A person needs to pay a $1,676 deductible for each benefit period. A benefit period starts on the day a person first enters the hospital and ends after 60 consecutive days without the individual receiving inpatient hospital care.
Costs may vary depending on the doctor, the type of facility, the person’s income, the treatment location, and the stage of cancer at diagnosis.
A report from 2023 found that costs were higher during the first year after a cancer diagnosis and remained high for an additional 2 years. People with a later stage cancer diagnosis incurred higher costs over 3 years than those with an earlier stage cancer diagnosis. For someone with a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis, out-of-pocket costs reached $35,243 over 3 years.
For people who need extra help with the costs, Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, can help cover out-of-pocket expenses.
It can also be helpful to talk with a healthcare professional before a procedure to determine whether they “accept assignment.” If they do, they have already agreed to charge no more than the Medicare-approved amount for the service. This can help reduce a person’s out-of-pocket responsibility.
Learn how Medigap plans work.
Typically, Medicare Part B covers cancer screening. However, several determining factors can affect coverage and costs, including:
- the person’s age
- their risk factors, such as a family history of a specific type of cancer
- symptoms that may have links to cancer, such as a lump on the breast
Restrictions also include the frequency of screenings.
Benefits for cancer screenings come from Medicare Part B when they do not take place in a hospital setting. Covered screenings may include:
- a mammogram to screen for breast cancer
- a Pap smear test to screen for cervical cancer
- a fecal blood test and colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer
- prostate-specific antigen tests and a rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer
- low dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer
People with a Medicare plan can talk with a doctor to determine their cancer risk and which screenings they need.
Medicare does not cover any service, treatment, or medication that is not medically necessary. There are also limitations on coverage. For example, Medicare does not cover costs associated with:
- room and board in assisted living facilities
- services that help people with activities of daily living, such as eating or bathing, that do not require skilled care
- adult day care
- medical food or nutritional supplements
- long-term nursing home care
A person can talk with a doctor and ask questions about the services, treatments, and medications they recommend.
Since Medicare does not cover all possible treatments, people need to check with a doctor to ensure that their coverage includes the recommended treatment. If Medicare does not cover a recommended treatment, a doctor may be able to suggest alternative treatments that may have coverage.
Medicare does not cover all related expenses. For example, if a person loses their hair due to cancer treatment, Medicare will not cover the cost of a wig, as it is not medically necessary. However, Medicare will cover surgically implanted breast prostheses after a mastectomy.
A person can check Medicare’s website for a list of all covered medical treatments.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D cover different aspects of cancer treatment from in-network providers. Out-of-pocket costs can vary depending on the type of treatment, the provider, and the part of Medicare funding it.
People can talk with a doctor about all recommended treatments, screenings, and medications to make sure that Medicare will cover some of the associated costs. If Medicare does not cover a recommended treatment, a doctor may be able to suggest alternative treatments.