Medicare Basics
Frequently Asked Questions
2. What is Medicare Part A and what does it cover?
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance that helps cover inpatient care in hospitals. Part A also helps cover skilled nursing facility care for a limited period of time, hospice care, and home health care, if you meet certain conditions. Most people don't have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A when they turn age 65 because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.
If a person is hospitalized, Medicare helps pay for the following services.
- Care - general nursing
- Room - semiprivate room
- Hospital services - meals, most services and supplies
If a person is hospitalized, Medicare does NOT pay for the following services.
- Care - private-duty nursing
- Room - private room (unless medically necessary)
- Hospital services - television and telephone
For important information about Medicare Part A, visit http://www.medicare.gov to view or print copies of "Your Medicare Benefits" or "Medicare & You." (Under "Search Tools," select "Find a Medicare Publication.")
