The Medicare fee-for-service plan is referred to by Medicare as the ___________.

The Medicare fee-for-service plan is referred to as the Original Medicare Plan. This designation is important because it encompasses two parts: Part A, which covers hospital insurance, and Part B, which covers medical insurance. Original Medicare allows beneficiaries to choose their healthcare providers and does not require referrals for specialists, offering flexibility in receiving care. It operates on a fee-for-service basis, meaning that Medicare pays healthcare providers a set amount for each service provided.

Understanding this definition helps clarify the structure of Medicare services and how beneficiaries can access them. The term "Original Medicare" emphasizes that it is the foundational plan upon which other Medicare options, such as Medicare Advantage, are built.