Overview
Medicare Part A is designed to provide hospital coverage, including fees for room and board during any necessary hospital stays. It covers care you receive while an inpatient in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Think of it as the room that you're in and the bed that you're on. In most cases, beneficiaries of this plan can receive these benefits without paying a premium as long as the individual has worked for 10 years and contributed Medicare taxes during that time. If that requirement is not met, a significant premium will be charged for Part A benefits.
Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (with the exception of long-term care), critical access hospitals, hospice care, and certain home health care services. It is important to familiarize yourself with the conditions that entitle you to these benefits.
MEDICARE PART A: HOSPITAL INSURANCE
Additional Information
Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient costs for those deemed eligible. In order to receive coverage, individuals must meet their Part A deductible. After the deductible has been met, Medicare Part A will pay for 80% of the expenses.
Coverage is limited to 60 days for inpatient stays, and there is a fixed price of $400 for days 61-90. Medicare offers additional coverage for lifetime reserve days, for which the beneficiary pays $800 each day.
Once the lifetime benefits are exhausted, no additional coverage will be provided by Medicare and all charges must be paid out-of-pocket. Every time the beneficiary has been out of the hospital for 60 consecutive days, a new benefit period begins, and the deductible must be met again prior to any coverage.
Premium: $0 for most people
Deductible: $1,600 per benefit period
Copay: Varies
Medicare Part A will usually cover:
A Semi-Private Room
Operating Room
Post-op Recovery Room
Care in Special Units
Hospital Meals
Lab Tests
X-Rays
Medications and Equipment
Rehabilitation Services While Inpatient
Blood Transfusions
Hospice Care
Skilled Nursing Care
