Medicare Part A
(Inpatient Hospital/Hospice Insurance)
What is it?
Providing coverage for inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, and some skilled nursing care, Medicare Part A makes up half of what’s called “Original Medicare” (Medicare Parts A and B).
Medicare Part A is funded by the federal government and is run by both state and federal agencies.
What does it cover?
Medicare Part A covers four main areas of inpatient care.
| 1. Inpatient hospital visits:
Inpatient medical or surgical treatment Semi-private rooms Nursing services Drugs and medications that are part of your inpatient treatment |
Hospital meals
Mental health care Participation in qualifying clinical research studies or demonstrations |
| 2. Nursing home care:
Semi-private rooms Medically necessary rehabilitation services Meals Dietary counseling Medical social services
3. Home health services: Physical or occupational therapy Part-time skilled nursing care Durable medical equipment ordered by your doctor Home health aide services Medical social services Speech-language pathology services |
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| 4. Hospice care:
Necessary medical treatment to decrease symptoms or ease suffering Nursing care Pain management services Pain relief medications Medical supplies Durable medical equipment Social services |
Hospice aide services
Housekeeping services Physical or occupational therapy Meals Dietary counseling Short-term respite care |
Who is eligible?
You’re eligible for Medicare Part A benefits if one or more of the following situations applies to you:
- You’re 65 years or older and are a US citizen or have been a US permanent legal resident for at least five years in a row
- You’re eligible for retirement benefits
- You’re currently receiving government disability benefits
- You suffer from end-stage renal disease (also known as catastrophic kidney failure or ESRD)
- You suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS)
