Medicare is a vital program for millions of Americans, but it can be confusing at first. It’s not just one type of coverage; it’s actually made up of different “parts” that each cover specific healthcare needs. Understanding these four parts—Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D—can help you figure out what coverage makes the most sense for you. Let’s take a closer look at Part A here.
Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance. It covers the big stuff—things like inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care services. Here’s a breakdown of what Part A includes:
- Inpatient Hospital Care: This covers your room, meals, nursing care, and other hospital services and supplies. It’s important to note that while Part A covers a lot, it doesn’t cover everything (like private rooms or personal care items). There’s also a deductible you’ll need to pay for each benefit period before Medicare starts covering costs.
- Skilled Nursing Facility Care: If you need rehab or skilled nursing services after a hospital stay, Part A can help pay for it. However, this isn’t long-term care—it’s short-term, aimed at helping you recover after a serious illness or surgery. It’s only covered after you’ve spent at least three days in the hospital as an inpatient.
- Hospice Care: Part A also covers hospice care for those who are terminally ill, focusing on comfort and support rather than curative treatment. Medicare covers most hospice services as long as a doctor certifies that you have a terminal illness and you agree to receive palliative care instead of treatment aimed at curing your illness.
- Home Health Care: If your doctor says you need medical services at home, Part A can help cover home health care, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, or intermittent skilled nursing care. This doesn’t include long-term care, however.
Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. However, if you don’t meet those criteria, you may have to pay a monthly premium.
