Medicare Part A
What exactly is Medicare Part A and what does it cover?
Medicare part A mainly covers Hospital Costs, but a other items also fall under Part A.
Inpatient care Medicare Part A covers all costs for the healthcare you receive when you spend time in a hospital facility. If you or your spouse worked at least 10 years in your life then you Pre-Paid for Part A and there will be no Monthly Payment.
However, Part A does have Deductible which is $1, 632 PER HOSPITALIZATION (unless you were in the hospital in the past 60 days).
This is why most folks will elect to put a Medicare Plan of some kind in place. A Medicare plan (depending on type you choose) will cover ALL or MOST of that cost plus an additional daily costs that kick in if you are hospitalized more than 60 days.
- Skilled nursing facility healthcare
Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of healthcare expenses when you spend time in a skilled nursing facility at your doctor’s discretion. It takes care of skilled nursing care, therapy sessions, medication, room costs, meals, and other services.
To be eligible for these benefits, you have to have spent a minimum of three consecutive days in a hospital within 30 days of being admitted to the skilled nursing facility receiving skilled nursing and therapy services.
- Hospice care
Medicare Part A covers hospice care as long as deemed necessary for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, or when they are recertified as terminally ill by their regular doctor and hospice doctor.
What costs are covered by Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A coverage is typically free of charge as it is covered by the taxes you pay before retirement, especially if you have worked for more than 10 years in the United States. You can, however, purchase Medicare Part A coverage if you have had a green card or been a legal resident for five years.
Medicare Part A Eligibility
You are eligible for Medicare Part A if you are a citizen of the United States or permanent United States resident who has been living in the country for a minimum of five consecutive years. Additionally, you have to be either 65 or older, receiving retirement benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board or the Social Security Board.
People living with a disability, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or final-stage renal disease also qualify for Medicare Part A.
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