Medicare Part A is part of Original Medicare, along with Part B. Many people refer to Medicare Part A as Hospital Insurance because it covers inpatient care. You are eligible for Part A when you turn 65 or if you are younger but have a qualifying illness or disability. To qualify for Medicare, you must also be a US citizen or a legal immigrant who has permanently resided within the US for five years or more.

What does Medicare Part A cover? 

Medicare Part A is called Hospital Insurance, but it covers much more. Medicare Part A benefits include: 

  • Inpatient hospital care: Part A covers care you receive when a doctor admits you to a Medicare-accepting hospital to treat an injury or illness. 
  • Skilled nursing facility care: Under Part A, you can receive skilled nursing care in a facility for a limited time with a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. 
  • Nursing home care: Part A does not cover custodial care in a nursing home but would cover medically necessary skilled nursing care such as wound dressing or injections. 
  • Hospice care: If your doctor diagnoses you as terminally ill with six months or less life expectancy, then Part A can cover palliative care. 
  • Home health care: Some eligible home health care services you may qualify for include occupational and physical therapy, speech-language pathology services, part-time skilled nursing care, and medical equipment and supplies at home. You may also be eligible for medical social services and part-time home health aide care. 

Medicare Part A costs 

For most people, it is free to receive Medicare Part A benefits. You may hear this called “premium-free Part A.” If you or your spouse worked for ten years or more, you would have a $0 premium for Medicare Part A benefits.  

Medicare Part A premium 2024

Many people mistakenly assume that not qualifying for premium-free Part A means they can’t get Part A at all. This is not true. If you or your spouse don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you can purchase it. Depending on how long you or your spouse worked, your premium will be $278 or $505 per month in 2024. In addition, if you want to purchase Part A, you must sign up for Medicare Part B.  

Medicare Part A deductible 2024 

Even if you have premium-free Medicare Part A benefits, you will need to pay a deductible each time you are admitted to a hospital for each benefit period. The deductible in 2024 is $1,632. After you pay the deductible, Medicare covers your Part A qualifying expenses. 

You may have to pay a copay for inpatient stays. For the first 60 days, your copay is $0. For days 61 to 90, your copay is $408 each day. For days 91 to 150, you pay $816. After 150 days, you’re responsible for all inpatient costs. 

Medicare Part A eligibility 

Many people are enrolled in Medicare Part A automatically. Your Social Security retirement benefits application counts as your application for Medicare Part A. If you are getting your Social Security retirement benefits at least four months before you turn 65, you can begin receiving Medicare Part A benefits when you turn 65. You can sign up for Medicare and your retirement benefits when you turn 65 if you have not already applied for retirement. 

How to sign up for Medicare Part A? 

There are several ways you can sign up for Medicare Part A benefits, including: 

  • By calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or 1-800-325-0778 for TTY users. 
  • By contacting your local Social Security office. 
  • By applying online on the Social Security Administration website. 
  • By calling the Railroad Retirement Board at 1-877-772-5772 if you or your spouse worked for a railroad. 

Difference between Medicare Part A and B 

Medicare Part A and Part B cover different kinds of care. They are designed to work together to provide key elements of care for you. Part A covers inpatient hospital care. Part B covers outpatient care, such as visits to the doctor’s office, preventive tests, labs, vaccines, and some outpatient prescription drugs. 

To learn more about what Medicare Part B covers, click here. 

Medicare Part A FAQs 

Is Medicare Part A free? 

No. While most people pay no premium for Medicare Part A benefits (that’s why it is called “premium-free”), there are other associated costs. You will need to pay a deductible ($1,632 in 2024) before Medicare starts paying its share. You may be responsible for copayments if you have an extended hospital stay. 

How do I sign up for Medicare Part A only? 

If you only want to sign up for Medicare Part A and delay enrolling in Medicare Part B, your course of action will depend on whether you receive Social Security Benefits (or Railroad Retirement Benefits) or not.

If you do receive Social Security benefits, signing up only for Part A essentially means delaying Part B since you’ll get both Parts automatically once you turn 65. In order to delay Part B, you will need to officially refuse it before the first day of the month you turn 65 (this is when your Medicare kicks in). To do so, send back your Medicare Card when you receive it in the “Welcome to Medicare” package. Medicare sends those packages around 3 months before your 65th birthday along with detailed information about the program. Keeping the card means you agree to having Part B and paying the associated premiums. You can also contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for additional guidance.

If you not receive Social Security benefits, you will not get Medicare automatically. You need to sign up for the program. If you only want Part A, you can submit an application at Sign up for Medicare | SSA. When applying, you will be able to select “No” when asked about whether you want to apply for Medicare Part B. Remember that you can always visit your local Social Security office or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 for more guidance.

Note: Unless you or your spouse work in a company with more than 20 employees, delaying Part B can lead to late enrollment penalties. Make sure to educate yourself fully before making this decision.

Does Medicare Part A cover emergency room visits? 

Yes, Medicare Part A will cover the cost of your emergency room visit if you are admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. If you are not admitted, your emergency room care may be covered by Medicare Part B. 

Questions about Medicare?

Shoot us an email at medicare@hihella.com.

Article updated on November 22, 2023.

•November 22, 2023