Medicare Part A – Inpatient Hospital
Medicare Part A provides coverage for most inpatient services. For example, hospital visits, skilled nursing stays, and hospice are all covered under the Part A benefit. A general rule of thumb is: If you’re in a hospital or facility overnight, then it’s a Part A service.
Since Medicare is insurance (albeit a social insurance), it has a premium associated with it. However, for most of you, your premiums have been pre-paid via your lifetime working taxes. If you are a new citizen, or if you have less than 40 quarters paying Medicare taxes, then you will be expected to pay a premium. For more information on these premiums click here.
Like all parts of Medicare, Part A does not cover all inpatient services completely. There are six Part A liabilities that Medicare expects you to help cover.
- Part A Deductible
- Part A Coinsurance
- Part A Coinsurance
- Skilled Nursing Coinsurance
- Blood Benefit
- Hospice
For more information on what financial liabilities are associated with these click here.
Now, if you’re reading this and are just this side of a heart attack, relax. There is help available. Private insurance plans call Medicare Supplement policies, or Medigap policies, are available, and they can pay one or all of the above liabilities on your behalf. For more information on how Medicare Supplements work, click the link above.
