Medicare Part A – Your Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A is the portion of Original Medicare that focuses on hospital-related care. It ensures that you’re covered when you need inpatient treatment, skilled nursing, hospice care, or certain home health services. Understanding what Medicare Part A offers and how it works can help you plan for potential healthcare expenses effectively.What Does Medicare Part A Cover?
- Inpatient Hospital Care: This includes semi-private rooms, meals, nursing care, medications, and medical services during your hospital stay. It applies to acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care hospitals.
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care: Medicare Part A helps cover skilled nursing care following a qualifying inpatient stay of at least three days. It’s essential for recovery after surgery or illness, but it does not cover long-term custodial care.
- Hospice Care: If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness, Part A covers hospice services focused on comfort rather than a cure. This includes pain relief, counseling, and support for you and your family.
- Home Health Care: Part A covers limited home health services such as part-time nursing care and therapy for individuals who are homebound and meet specific eligibility requirements.
Who is Eligible for Medicare Part A?
If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. If not, you can still enroll, but you may have to pay a premium, which can reach up to $505/month in 2024. Enrollment is automatic at age 65 if you’re already receiving Social Security benefits.How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost?
While many people enjoy free Part A coverage, some might need to pay a premium based on their work history. Additionally, Part A has a deductible and coinsurance costs:- Inpatient Hospital Deductible: $1,600 per benefit period in 2024.
- Coinsurance: $0 for the first 60 days of each benefit period; $400/day for days 61–90; and $800/day after 90 days (using lifetime reserve days).
