Your Guide to Medicare Part A Benefits and Coverage

Key Takeaways

Medicare Part A focuses mainly on inpatient care. It helps pay for hospital stays, short-term care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice services, and limited home health care. However, it doesn’t cover everything expenses like private hospital rooms or long-term custodial care are generally not included.

Most people qualify for premium-free Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters). Even without a monthly premium, beneficiaries are still responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs, including a deductible for each benefit period and potential coinsurance for extended stays.

Medicare coverage doesn’t stop at Part A. Other parts of Medicare help cover additional healthcare needs:

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, and preventive care
Part C (Medicare Advantage) bundles hospital and medical coverage, often with extra benefits
Part D helps pay for prescription medications

People can sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration online, over the phone, or by visiting a local office in person.

Medicare Part A is the portion of Medicare that helps cover hospital-related care for individuals age 65 and older. Medicare was designed in separate parts, allowing people to combine coverage options based on their healthcare needs similar to selecting items from a menu.

Part A is considered the foundation of Medicare and helps pay for inpatient hospital stays. If you need broader coverage, you can add other parts of Medicare to help cover services like doctor visits, prescriptions, and additional benefits.

You don’t have to be retired to enroll in Medicare Part A. Eligibility typically begins at age 65, and many people choose to keep employer or private insurance while also enrolling in Medicare.

Keep reading to understand what Medicare Part A covers and what costs you may be responsible for.

What Medicare Part A Does Not Cover?

It’s important to understand that Medicare Part A does not pay for every hospital-related expense. Some costs are excluded, including the following:

First three pints of blood
If the hospital obtains blood from a blood bank, there is usually no charge. However, if special blood is required and the hospital must purchase it for you, you may need to pay for the first three pints yourself.

Private hospital rooms
Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in a semiprivate room. If you choose or require a private room, the additional cost is generally not covered.

Long-term care
Part A is designed for short-term care related to a medical condition, injury, or recovery period. It does not cover long-term or custodial care, such as extended stays in a nursing home. These costs must be paid out of pocket.

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What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

Medicare Part A helps pay for several types of facility-based and inpatient care, though certain limits and conditions apply. Covered services generally include:

Inpatient Hospital Care
Part A covers the care you receive after you’ve been formally admitted to a hospital. This includes necessary tests, treatments, and services related to your condition during your stay.

Limited Home Health Care
After a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare may cover medically necessary home health services while you recover. This can include part-time skilled nursing care or therapy services ordered by your doctor.

Hospice Care
If you choose comfort-focused care for a terminal illness rather than curative treatment, Medicare Part A helps cover hospice services, including medical support, medications for symptom control, and counseling.

Short-Term Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care
When you need rehabilitation or skilled nursing care after a hospital stay, Part A may help cover a temporary stay in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility, as long as eligibility requirements are met.

What’s Included During a Hospital Stay?

While you’re admitted as an inpatient, Part A typically helps cover:

Your hospital room and meals
Nursing services
Medications related to your treatment
Therapies such as physical or occupational therapy
Other medically necessary hospital services ordered by your doctor

Important Note About Emergency Room Visits

Medicare Part A generally covers emergency room services only if you are formally admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. If you receive care in the emergency room but are not admitted, those services are usually covered under Medicare Part B instead (or through private insurance, if applicable).

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How Much Does Medicare Part A Cost?

Premiums

Most people qualify for premium-free Part A if they — or their spouse — paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years. If you don’t meet this work requirement, you can still buy Part A coverage, but you’ll pay a monthly premium (amount based on how many quarters you paid taxes).

Deductibles and Cost Sharing

Even with premium-free Part A, you’ll have out-of-pocket costs:

A deductible applies for each benefit period before Medicare begins to pay
You may also owe coinsurance for extended hospital or skilled nursing stays

What Other Medicare Coverage Options Are There?

Medicare is made up of several parts. You’re not required to enroll in anything beyond Part A, but many people choose additional coverage:

Medicare Part B

Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment
Requires a monthly premium

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Combines Parts A and B benefits through private insurers
Often includes extra benefits such as prescription drugs, dental, or vision
Usually requires using an in-network provider

Medicare Part D

Helps cover prescription drugs
Sold by private companies and comes with a monthly premium

Services Original Medicare Typically Doesn’t Cover

Even with Part A and Part B, some services are excluded. These may be covered by supplemental plans, private insurance, or paid out-of-pocket:

Cosmetic surgery
Dentures
Eyeglasses or contact lenses
Hearing exams and hearing aids
Long-term custodial care
Most routine dental care
Routine foot care

Am I Eligible for Medicare Part A?

You’re generally eligible for Part A if:

You’re age 65 and either receiving Social Security benefits or have worked enough quarters to qualify
You have certain disabilities
You have specific medical conditions such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits before age 65, you’ll typically be enrolled automatically. If not, you’ll need to sign up yourself.

How to Enroll in Medicare Part A

You can enroll in Part A in three ways:

Online
Visit SocialSecurity.gov and follow the Medicare enrollment prompts.
By Phone
Call the Social Security office at 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).
In Person
Visit your local Social Security office.

When Can You Enroll?

Initial Enrollment Period

You can sign up:

3 months before your 65th birthday
The month you turn 65
Up to 3 months after turning 65

Coverage typically begins on July 1 of the year you enroll.

Special Enrollment Period

If you delayed Medicare because you had health coverage through a job with 20+ employees (yours or your spouse’s), you may qualify for a special enrollment period. This lets you enroll within 8 months after that coverage ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Medicare Part A pay 100% of your hospital stay?
Part A generally covers the full cost of your hospital stay for the first 60 days of each benefit period, after you meet your deductible.

2. What’s the difference between Medicare Part A and Part B?

Part A — hospital and inpatient coverage
Part B — outpatient services like doctor visits and preventive care

3. Is Medicare Part A free at age 65?
You can receive premium-free Part A at 65 if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. If not, you can buy it with a premium.

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