Part A is what is also referred to as Hospital Insurance. This is for those times when you need coverage as an inpatient in the hospital, nursing facility, or at home. Things covered as an inpatient are food, necessary testing, fees from doctors, and semiprivate rooms. Stays in convalescent centers are covered following at least three days in a hospital and not greater than 100 days in the center.
Medicare Part A covers a variety of inpatient services including but not limited to:
- Critical care in hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Long term hospitals
- Skilled nursing facility
As well as:
- In home health services
- Hospice care
Typically, the Medicare taxes you have paid into through an employer make Medicare Part A a premium-free plan. There are instances where an individual is not eligible to receive premium-free benefits but are available to buy into the benefits. If you are a legal citizen over the age of 65 you are allowed to be covered by Part A for a premium. Also, if you are under 65, disabled, and return to work your premium-free Part A will be canceled, however, you are entitled to receive the same benefits for a monthly premium. After you return to work, your premium-free Part A can continue for up to 8.5 years. Once that time is up you have the option to utilize the monthly premium option. Most of the time you will also need to have Part B which is another monthly premium however those on a limited income may be eligible for help from the state.
One needs to remember that Part A is strictly for certain at home care services and for inpatient hospital visits. Outpatient visits are not covered by Medicare Part A.
