What does Medicare Part A (Hospital insurance) cover?
Medicare Part A helps its beneficiaries cover costs for care as an inpatient in hospitals, critical access hospitals (mainly found in rural areas), as well as skilled nursing facilities (excluding custodial or long-term care) or hospice facilities. Some home health care is also included. If you need detailed information about your Part A coverage, you can check the Medicare coverage database. You are a beneficiary, if you have received your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail and HOSPITAL (PART A) is imprinted on your card.
How can I enroll in Medicare Part A?
If you already receive Social Security Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A the month you turn 65. Three months prior to your birthdate, you typically will have your Medicare card mailed to you.
If you do not receive Social Security benefits, you will not be automatically enrolled and need to apply. Make sure to apply at the beginning of your initial enrollment period (3 months before your 65th birthday) so the date your coverage begins won’t be delayed. At this time, you have also the option to apply for Social Security benefits.
Do I have to pay for Medicare Part A?
If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while you worked you do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A. If you or your spouse did not pay Medicare taxes, or you did not work, and you are age 65 or older, you still may be able to buy Part A when:
- You (or your spouse) are not entitled to Social Security because you did not work and/or did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, and you are age 65 or older, or
- You are disabled, but no longer get it premium-free because you returned to work.
If you have limited income and resources, your state may help you pay for Part A and/or Part B.
For more information, you can also visit socialsecurity.gov or call your Social Security office.
It might be a good idea to think about additional coverage with supplemental insurance (Medigap) or advantage plans to your Medicare Part B premium in order to find the health care coverage that best suits your needs and your budget. Also, adding a prescription drug plan may help you with high costs for medications in the future.
