It can be confusing at first to navigate the alphabet soup of Medicare, but basically each letter is for a different aspect of coverage. Medicare Part A, hospital insurance, is for when you have a disease or condition which needs treatment. You are eligible for Part A Medicare without cost if you are over 65 and you or your spouse has paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years; otherwise, even if you have reached the age limit, you have to pay a premium each month if you have not paid taxes long enough.
Medicare Part A covers the following:
- Inpatient hospital care in a semi-private room, meals, and general nursing, services, and supplies;
- Up to 100 days in a skilled nursing care facility along with meals, medication, needed treatments and therapies;
- Time spent in a long term care hospital;
- Time spent in a certified skilled nursing facility, as long as it is medically necessary and not only custodial;
- Hospice care when you are no longer trying to cure your terminal illness; such care is usually given at home;
- Health services at home such as intermittent skilled nurse care, various types of therapy, and home-delivered meals;
- Supplies which may be required during convalescence such as wheelchairs and walkers.
For the most part, these services are not completely free. There are various deductibles and coinsurance payments which vary with your length of stay. In addition, Medicare does not pay for nonessential items during your hospital stay such as telephone, television, private room, or private-duty nursing.
If you are not sure whether the treatment you need is covered by Medicare, ask your doctor. If you feel you may need further coverage, consider getting additional coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan.
This post was written by Jim Blazer, Executive V.P. of Bermel, Inc. Since joining Bermel, Inc. 18 years ago, Blazer has led the company in its steady expansion. He is recognized for managing one of two major US hospital networks for Medicare Select. Bermel, Inc’s Medicare Select Supplements significantly reduce the premium outlay for policyholders.
