Original Medicare (parts A and B) provides comprehensive coverage for individuals who have experienced a stroke. This coverage includes acute care in a hospital or emergency setting, stroke rehabilitation services, and follow-up visits with your doctor or medical team.

The costs and specifics of Medicare stroke coverage relate to the type of treatment and where it occurs. To receive coverage for specific services, your doctor needs to certify that they are medically necessary.

In the immediate aftermath of a stroke, you may receive initial treatment in a hospital emergency department. Coverage for this treatment would fall under Medicare Part B (medical insurance).

In 2025, Part B has an annual deductible of $257. After reaching your deductible amount, you pay a 20% coinsurance on the services you receive while in the emergency department. Additionally, you would pay a copayment for the hospital visit.

But if you’re admitted to the hospital for continued care following your stroke, you do not pay the copayment. Instead, your inpatient hospital treatment falls under Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). In 2025, Part A has a $1,676 deductible per benefit period.

While recovering from a stroke, you may require intensive therapy and monitoring from a coordinated team of healthcare professionals. This treatment may involve a stay in a rehabilitation facility. Medicare Part A also covers inpatient rehab care.

The cost of inpatient rehab under Part A includes the deductible along with the following daily costs:

  • Days 1 to 60: $0 per day
  • Days 61 to 90: $419 per day
  • Days 91 and after: $838 per day, including the use of lifetime reserve days
  • After using your lifetime reserve days: all further costs

Medicare covers various rehabilitation services to help people who have experienced a stroke regain independence and improve their quality of life. These include:

  • physical therapy
  • occupational therapy
  • speech-language pathology services
  • doctors’ visits

These services are available in both inpatient and outpatient settings, depending on your needs and recovery progress. If you receive these services in an outpatient setting, Part B will cover them, and a 20% coinsurance will apply.

Additionally, Part B will cover the cost of any durable medical equipment (DME), such as a walker or wheelchair, provided it is medically necessary and comes from a Medicare-approved supplier. As with other medical services, to receive coverage for therapy and DME, your doctor would need to certify that it is medically necessary.

While Medicare provides comprehensive coverage for acute care and rehabilitation, long-term custodial care is generally not covered. Individuals requiring extended care may need to explore additional options, such as long-term care insurance or Medicaid.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans would provide the same level of coverage as Original Medicare described above. However, these plans also offer certain additional benefits. Costs and coverage vary by plan, provider, and location.