What Is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is the hospital insurance portion of Medicare, covering inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home healthcare services. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

What does Medicare Part A cover?

• Hospital stays: Covers semi-private rooms, meals, nursing care, and medications during an inpatient stay.
• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care: Provides short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay, if medically necessary.
• Hospice care: Covers pain management and support services for those with terminal illnesses.
• Home healthcare: Includes medically necessary part-time nursing care, physical therapy, and other services for homebound individuals.

What are the costs?

• Premium: Free for most beneficiaries, but some may pay up to $505 per month (2024 rates) if they haven’t met work requirements.
• Deductible: $1,632 per benefit period (2024 rates) before Medicare begins covering costs.
• Coinsurance:
  
  • Days 1–60: $0 per day.
  • Days 61–90: $408 per day.
  • Beyond 90 days: $816 per day (using lifetime reserve days).
  • Skilled nursing facility (after 20 days): $204 per day (2024 rates).

How Solace can help

Navigating Medicare Part A coverage, costs, and benefits can be confusing. A Solace advocate can help you understand what’s covered, review hospital and nursing facility options, and address billing issues or denied claims. If you're unsure whether your care qualifies under Part A, an advocate can guide you through the process.

What to do next

Have questions about Medicare Part A coverage or hospital costs? Find a Solace advocate today.