Medicare Part A beneficiaries receive coverage for hospital expenses that are critical for inpatient care. These include a semi-private room, nursing services, meals, the medications required during inpatient treatment, along with other related services and supplies from the hospital.

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 Medicare Taxes Were Paid 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.

If a person is not eligible for automatic enrollment and wants Medicare Part A when they turn 65, they must apply to get enrolled in Medicare Part A. FYI – For people wanting Medicare Part A who have not paid their Medicare taxes for ten years will have a Part A monthly premium.

CMS Initial Enrollment Period – A Seven-Month Enrollment Timeline:

This Time Frame Includes:

• 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.