Medicare Part A
What Does Medicare Part A Cover?
Medicare Part A is often called hospital insurance. It helps cover certain inpatient and facility-based health care services when Medicare's coverage requirements are met.
Inpatient hospital care: Part A helps cover care when you are formally admitted to a hospital as an inpatient.
Skilled nursing facility care: Part A can help cover short-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation care when Medicare's eligibility requirements are satisfied. This is different from long-term custodial nursing-home care.
Hospice care: Part A helps cover hospice services for people who meet Medicare's eligibility requirements for end-of-life care.
Home health care: Medicare can cover certain home health services when you meet the applicable requirements and need qualifying skilled care.
Costs, Enrollment, and How Part A Fits
Part A does not necessarily pay every cost associated with a covered stay. Depending on the type and length of care, deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs may apply.
Many people qualify for Part A without a monthly premium based on their own or a spouse's Medicare-tax work history. People who do not qualify for premium-free Part A may be able to purchase it.
Some people are enrolled in Medicare automatically, while others need to sign up. Your enrollment situation can depend on factors such as whether you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Part A is only one part of Medicare. Most people also need to understand Part B and then decide how they want to receive their Medicare coverage and whether prescription drug or supplemental coverage is appropriate.
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We can help you understand how Parts A and B fit together and review the coverage options available after you enroll in Medicare. There is no charge for our services.
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