Medicare Part A is the part of Medicare that most people don't have to pay for called hospital insurance. Most people get Part A as soon as they turn 65 without having to pay a premium. The only thing that would prevent a person from being eligible for Part A is failure to pay Medicare taxes while they or their spouse was working.
Medicare Part A is called the hospital insurance because it helps pay for the care a patient receives in a hospital inpatient setting, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility (SNF), hospice and home health care.
Hospital Inpatient Setting/Critical Access
Medicare Part A helps only for clinical care during the inpatient stay of a patient. Coverage is limited to semiprivate rooms, general nusing, supplies, and other services that are considered medically necessary.
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Part A covers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, semiprivate room, supplies and meals.
Hospice Care
In order for Hospice care to be covered, it must be from a Medicare-approved hospice. Medicare Part A covers the medical and support of hospice except for home care.Home Health Care
Medicare Part A pays home health aid services, only part time sklled nursing care, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, durable medical equipment, and supplies.
