Original medicare Part A is free for most recipients. If you or a spouse paid into medicare for a minimum of 7.5 years it is free. Under certain circumstances you can purchase part A.
Part A will cover different types of facilities. It will cover facilities that are medically necessary based on their requirements and your eligibility.
The following are covered:
- Inpatient psychiatric care.
- Inpatient hospital care
- Skilled nursing facilities.
- Hospice care.
- Long term hospital care.
- Obesity bariatric surgery.
- Home health care
- Access to religious nonmedical health care institution services.
- Inpatient rehabilitation.
The following are paid in part by medicare part A.
- Chemotherapy
- Anesthesia
- All meals
- Room and Board
- Blood transfusions
- Drugs except some self-administered drugs
- Some diagnostic and therapeutic items and services
- Medical supplies and some equipment.
- Respite care in hospice
- Transportation
- Alcohol or substance abuse treatment that are inpatient.
- Social services
- Nursing care
- Inpatient dialysis treatments
- Inpatient clinical trials
It will be vitally important to gather the information needed for an informed decision before you accept just part A for your coverage. A conference with a medicare assistant by a phone call or a visit to their website should answer the majority of your questions.
Part A does not cover all services in all of the facilities listed. It will cover basic services such as semi-private rooms, meals and basic nursing care among some others listed.
Part A does not cover:
- Television or phone in your room
- razors or slippers
- private duty nursing
- assisted living
- adult day care
- custodial care
- family member reimbursement
- blood, the first 3 pints
All other items are out of pocket for the patient. This includes fees for your doctor while he is making hospital visits. The fees for your doctor would be covered by medicare Part B. There is a charge for part B but you may find it well worth the price once your costs start to accumulate.
Most states have programs which will supplement your medicare services. If your income falls into the allowable range, all parts of medicare may be without cost to the recipients. These plans must be investigated through your states Department of Human Services.
Social services in the hospital you are admitted to should be able to help you with the choices as well if you haven’t covered yourself adequately. Investigate, ask questions, check your literature that is sent by medicare. When you initially receive your red, white and blue card it will be for only part A. Part B must be applied for.
If you have questions concerning your eligibility for hospital coverage you will need to visit www.medicare.gov or call medicare at the number provided on your card. Try not to be influenced by independent sales people concerning supplemental insurance. Medicare has charts with comparisons of benefits and costs of their approved insurance companies. It would be advisable to follow their lead. You are apt to get the coverage listed if you follow the recommendations of medicare.