Medicare Part A helps pay for medically necessary care—care for an illness or medical condition—that involves an inpatient stay in the hospital, a stay in a
skilled nursing facility as a follow-up to a hospital stay,
hospice care for the terminally ill and some skilled
home health care for those who cannot leave their home. And it helps pay for some blood transfusions. But there are some things Part A doesn't cover.
What does Medicare Part A help cover?
-
A semi-private room -
Your hospital meals -
Skilled nursing services -
Care on special unites, such as intensive care -
Drugs, medical supplies, and medical equipment as an inpatient -
Lab tests, X-rays, and radiation treatment as an inpatient -
Operating room and recovery room services -
Some blood transfusions in a hospital or skilled nursing facility -
Rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy received through home health -
Skilled health care in your house, if you cannot leave your home and only need part-time care -
Care to manage symptoms and control pain for the terminally ill ("hospice" care)
Are there Medicare Part A coverage limits?
If you are hospitalized for more than 90 days at one time, there are limits on the number of days of care Medicare Part A will continue to help pay for. In the same way, there are limits on the number of days of care in a
skilled nursing facility Part A will help pay for. Part A pays for an unlimited number of skilled
home health care visits or
hospice care visits, but you must meet certain conditions to receive either kind of help.
What won't Medicare Part A help with?
Medicare Part A helps you pay the costs of hospital care when you're sick. But there are some things it won't pay for:
- Most doctor services you receive in the hospital are covered by Part B, and you pay the Part B deductible first and then 20% coinsurance for these services.
- Part A won't pay personal costs in the hospital, like charges for a television or telephone calls.
- It also doesn't help with the cost of "custodial care." This includes the activities of daily life, like eating, bathing or dressing. Custodial care isn't covered because it doesn't require the kind of skilled medical care that's provided in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.