Medicare Part A - The Hospital Insurance Portion of Original Medicare
Medicare Part A – The Hospital Insurance Portion of Original Medicare
Part A insurance does not cover a private hospital room, private-duty nursing, or personal care item expenses such as shampoo, telephone, and television. It also does not cover the cost of blood unless the hospital receives blood from a blood bank without a charge. For hospitals purchasing the blood, the cost of the first three units is the beneficiary’s responsibility.
Coverages Include:
- Inpatient Hospital Care.
- Hospice Care.
- Skilled Nursing Facility.
- Nursing Home Care – Provided If Custodial Care Is Not The Only Care Required.
- Home Health Care – Conditioned Home Health Services.
The Costs Associated With Part A:
- Medicare Part A Monthly Premium – $0 If You Paid Medicare Taxes For 10 Years.
- Annual Deductible – The Amount Changes Annually.
- Inpatient Hospital & Skilled Nursing Co-Pays.
- 20% Co-Insurance – The Covered Medical Expenses Medicare Does Not Pay
Part A Also Has Critical Inpatient Care Provided Through:
- Critical Access Hospitals.
- Acute Care Hospitals.
- Long-Term Care Hospitals.
- Mental Health Care.
- Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities.
- Participation In A Clinical Research Study.
Medicare Part A Enrollment:
Automatic enrollment in Part A Medicare insurance happens during the month of a person’s 65 birthday if they have paid their Medicare taxes for at least ten years. If a person qualifies for Medicare insurance because of a disability before age 65, then enrollment is automatic for Medicare Part A when that person is considered Medicare eligible. Medicare Part A benefits start on the first day of the month during the month of turning 65. FYI – If a birthday falls on the first day of the month, the benefits will begin the first of the month, the month before turning 65.
Suppose a person is not eligible for automatic enrollment and wants Medicare Part A when they turn 65. In that case, they must apply to enroll in Medicare Part A. FYI – People wanting Medicare Part A who have not paid their Medicare taxes for ten years will have a Part A monthly premium.
CMS’s Initial Enrollment Period Has A Seven-Month Enrollment Timeline: (Center of Medicare Medicaid Services)
- Three Months Before The Month Of A 65th Birthday.
- The Month Of A 65th Birthday.
- Three Months Following The Month Of A 65th Birthday.
Ways To Enroll In Medicare Part A:
- Create A My Social Security Account At: SSA.gov And Enroll Online.
- Call Social Security: 800-772-1213, Monday-Friday, 7 am To 7 pm EST.
- TTY Users Should Call 1-800-325-0778.
