Medicare Part A is hospital insurance that helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.
It's available to people who are 65 or older, as well as younger people with certain disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Medicare Part A helps cover the costs of inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. It also helps cover the costs of blood transfusions and durable medical equipment (DME).
Most people don't have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years while working, you'll get Part A premium-free. If you or your spouse didn't work long enough, you may have to pay a premium. The amount of the premium depends on how long you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes.
There is a deductible for Medicare Part A. In 2023, the deductible is $1,600. This means that you'll have to pay the first $1,600 of your inpatient hospital costs each benefit period.
To be eligible for Medicare Part A, you must be 65 or older or have certain disabilities. You can also be eligible for Medicare Part A if you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
You can enroll in Medicare Part A during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is the seven-month period that begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after your 65th birthday. You can also enroll in Medicare Part A during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs are available for certain life events, such as losing job-based health insurance.
Medicare Part A is a hospital insurance program. It does not cover doctor visits or other outpatient services.
You can get Medicare Part A even if you're still working.
If you're eligible for Medicare Part A, you're automatically enrolled in Part B.
You can choose to have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
You can get help paying your Medicare Part A premiums if you can't afford them.
You can get more information about Medicare Part A by visiting the Medicare website or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also talk to a Medicare counselor. Medicare counselors are trained to help you understand your Medicare options.