What is Medicare Part A?
What does Medicare Part A cover?
- Inpatient hospital care
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Home health care
- Hospice care
How much does Medicare Part A cost?
Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A. If you or your spouse worked for 10 years and paid Medicare taxes, you will not have to pay a premium. These costs may apply:
- Inpatient hospital deductible
- Inpatient hospital copays
- Skilled nursing copays
- Durable medical equipment copays
Am I eligible for Medicare Part A?
You can enroll in Medicare Part A if:
- You are age 65 or older, or
- You are under age 65 with certain disabilities, or
- You have permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis.
How do I get Medicare Part A?
If you already get benefits from Social Security, you'll get Medicare Parts A and Part B automatically when you're first eligible and don't need to sign up. Medicare will send you a "Welcome to Medicare" packet 3 months before you turn 65. You can also contact the Social Security Administration to sign up for Original Medicare. You can visit their website at www.ssa.gov. Or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.
Next Steps