A cancer diagnosis can be devastating. Understanding what costs are covered by Medicare Parts A, B, C and D can help you focus on what matters most—your health.
Does Medicare cover cancer treatment?
4-minute readPublished 05/21/2024Updated 12:34 PM EST, 01/09/2025
Table of contents
Table of contents
- Which cancer screenings does Medicare cover?
- Does Medicare cover chemotherapy?
- Does Medicare cover radiation therapy?
- Does Medicare cover immunotherapy?
- What to do if your treatment is denied by Medicare
- How much does cancer treatment cost with Medicare?
- Does Medicare Advantage (Part C) cover cancer screenings and treatment?
- How to find a cancer treatment center
- Frequently asked questions
Which cancer screenings does Medicare cover?
When it comes to cancer, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s why Medicare covers common cancer screenings to help find problems early—when treatment works best. This includes:
🗸 Screening
🗸 Pelvic exams and Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer
🗸 Colonoscopies and fecal blood tests to screen for colorectal cancer
🗸 Low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer
🗸 PSA (prostate antigen) tests and physical exams for prostate cancer
Does Medicare cover chemotherapy?
Yes.
Does Medicare cover radiation therapy?
Medicare does cover radiation therapy for treating cancer. If you receive radiation therapy during a hospital stay, Part A will cover it and you’ll pay any applicable deductible and coinsurance. If you receive radiation treatment as an outpatient or in an outpatient facility, it will be covered by Medicare Part B once you meet the Part B deductible and copayment.
Does Medicare cover immunotherapy for cancer treatment?
Yes. As with any covered medical treatment, you must first meet your plan’s deductible. You may have coinsurance and/or copay costs, as well.
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4-minute readPublished 05/21/2024Updated 12:34 PM EST, 01/09/2025
What to do if your treatment is denied by Medicare
Never hesitate to ask your doctor what your expected costs will be before you receive care. There may be times when Medicare denies a claim for your treatment, leaving you to pay some or even all the costs. For example:
- If your doctor prescribes more chemotherapy than Medicare covers
- If your treatment costs more that Medicare’s maximum allowed amount for certain services
- If your doctor recommends a treatment that Medicare doesn’t cover
If any of these situations arise, don’t panic! You may have options. If you disagree with their decision, you can
How much does cancer treatment cost with Medicare?
Medicare coverage for cancer treatment works just like treatment for any other illness or injury. Part A offers coverage for hospital care, Part B covers outpatient care and treatment, and Medicare Part D may help pay for drugs used to fight cancer. You may be responsible for copayments, coinsurance or deductibles as required by your plan.
In 2024, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,632 per benefit period and the Part B annual deductible is $240. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have their own deductible, and some even feature a $0 deductible.
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Does Medicare Advantage (Part C) cover cancer screenings and treatment?
Yes. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private health insurance companies. They are required by law to provide all the benefits of Original Medicare Parts A and B—and many include prescription drug coverage plus coverage for dental, vision and hearing care—benefits not covered by Original Medicare. Additional benefits may include in-home support services, meal delivery, and home-based palliative care. Some Medicare Advantage plans also include coverage for alternative care like
A unique feature of Medicare Advantage plans is the “maximum out-of-pocket” cost. Once you’ve paid that amount, you’ll pay nothing for covered services for the rest of your plan year, but you’ll generally have to use care providers in your plan’s network. In 2024, the maximum you will spend for in-network care is $8,850, although some plans have lower limits.1
How to find a cancer treatment center
If you’re a Humana member, you can use our
Frequently asked questions
Can I enroll in Medicare if I have cancer?
There are no additional costs for Original Medicare
Are chemotherapy drugs covered by Medicare Part D prescription drug plans?
Medicare Part B covers most chemotherapy drugs. If you have Original Medicare plus a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan, your Part D plan may cover drugs that Part B does not.
How can we help?
Source
- “
Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit ,” Medicare Interactive, last accessed March 26, 2024