Medicare Part B

Welcome to My Insurance Advisor Group’s page about Medicare Part A!

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for Americans who are 65 or older, people with certain disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Medicare has four parts: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. In this article, we will discuss Medicare Part A.

Medicare Part A, also known as hospital insurance, covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care services. It is important to note that Medicare Part A does not cover all medical expenses, such as doctor visits or prescription drugs.

To be eligible for Medicare Part A, you must be a US citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the United States for at least five years. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working, you may be eligible for premium-free Part A. If you did not pay Medicare taxes, you may still be able to get Part A, but you will have to pay a premium.

Once you are eligible for Medicare, you will be automatically enrolled in Part A if you are already receiving Social Security benefits. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits, you can enroll in Medicare Part A during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is a seven-month period that begins three months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65.

If you miss your IEP, you may still be able to enroll in Medicare Part A during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year. However, if you enroll during the GEP, your coverage will not begin until July 1 of that year.

Here are some of the services that Medicare Part A covers:

• Inpatient hospital care: Medicare Part A covers your hospital room, meals, and other necessary services and supplies during your hospital stay.

• Skilled nursing facility care: If you need skilled nursing care after being in the hospital, Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility.

• Hospice care: Medicare Part A covers hospice care for people who are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less. Hospice care includes medical, social, and spiritual support for both the patient and their family.

• Home health care: Medicare Part A covers home health care services for people who are homebound and need skilled nursing care or therapy.

It is important to note that Medicare Part A has deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs. In 2023, the deductible for Medicare Part A is $1,548 per benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you are admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you have not received any inpatient hospital care or skilled nursing care for 60 consecutive days.

In conclusion, Medicare Part A provides coverage for inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care services. It is important to understand what is covered by Medicare Part A and what is not, as well as the out-of-pocket costs associated with the program. If you have any questions about Medicare or need help enrolling in Medicare Part A, please contact My Insurance Advisor Group for assistance.