Medicare Part A Tips

Read these 3 Medicare Part A Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Medicare tips and hundreds of other topics.

Medicare Part A Tips has been rated 0.0 out of 5 based on 3 ratings and 1 user reviews.

Medicare Part A Benefits

Medicare health and drug insurance programs are benefits that many Americans can't do without. Medicare is broken down into several ‘Parts' that cover distinctly different parts of the healthcare spectrum. For most people, when they turn age 65, Medicare Part A benefits will automatically kick in.

Medicare Part A eligibility requires the participant to be age 65 and an American citizen. In some cases, those under 65 with certain disabilities and proper work credit will also be eligible for benefits. Usually about six months prior to the eligible participants 65th birthday they will receive enrollment cards or Medicare forms from the Social Security Administration.

Medicare Part A benefits are commonly referred to as hospital insurance. The major benefits covered under this plan are critical care in hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation, long term care, and mental health facilities. Other benefits include short term care in a skilled nursing facility, terminal care delivered through a Medicare approved Hospice provider and home health care services.

For those over 65 Medicare Part A is usually free for those who have paid Medicare taxes. In some cases Medicare Part A benefits will require a monthly premium. Enrollees may contact the Social Security Administration to inquire about Medicare forms for paid premium Part A.

For inpatient hospital care, donated blood products are covered. If the hospital purchases blood for you, Medicare Part A benefits requires you to be responsible for the cost of the first three units of blood in a calendar year.

Hospital stays are covered for a semi private room including doctor's care, nursing care and drugs, but private nurses and services such as TV or phone are not covered as well as personal items such as socks, razors and toothbrushes unless medically necessary.

   

Medicare Part A Benefits

Medicare part a is a type of hospital health insurance and is the largest health insurance provider in the U.S. It is typically offered to people over the age of 65, people who are disabled, and those who suffer from kidney failure.

Patients who receive this type of medicare part a benefits receive coverage for services provided by nursing homes, hospitals, critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Medicare part a will also cover services patients receive from hospice, home health care, and nonmedical health care institutions that are affiliated with a specific religion.

Patients who paid for medicare taxes while employed or who have a spouse who paid for these taxes do not usually have to pay a premium for medicare part a benefits. Those who are ineligible for free medicare part a benefits may choose to purchase this individual insurance plan.

Applicants must meet certain criteria in order to purchase the insurance plan. If they are 65 years or older and are eligible for medicare part b, they may buy the part a plan. Patients who are younger than 65 years old, disabled, and have lost their free part a benefits because they are working again can purchase medicare part a as well.

Anyone who applies for medicare must be a lawful resident of the U.S. Immigrants to the U.S. must possess five years of legal residency before becoming eligible for medicare. Low-income patients may receive assistance in paying for part a benefits and prescription drugs.

Choosing a health care plan can be a confusing experience, so it is helpful for patients to speak with an experienced Medicare representative in order to assist them in the enrollment process. By weighing the advantages and disadvantages of medicare options, patients can determine the best plans for their unique needs.

   

Compare Medicare Part A to Understand What Is Covered

Seniors or people with a disability or qualifying medical condition, such as End-Stage Renal Disease, may find understanding coverage in the United States Medicare program a bit daunting. You have the freedom to choose the combination of Medicare plans that works best for you based on your medical conditions, current medication prescriptions, preferred health care provider and income, so making the best selection requires understanding how Medicare and its parts work. There are four parts and knowing how to compare Medicare Part A to the other Medicare parts goes a long way in making an informed decision.

In its most basic sense, Part A covers hospital insurance while Part B consists of medical insurance. Prescription drugs are covered in Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans (similar to an HMO or PPO) are included in Medicare Part C. Medicare Part A is premium free as long as you or your spouse paid into Medicare taxes while they were working. In order to make the best Medical health insurance coverage choice to fit your needs, it is important to compare Medicare Part A.

Drilling down a bit further, Medicare Part A includes only services that are medically necessary. This includes inpatient hospital care, nursing home care or skilled nursing home care as well as critical access care in a hospital. Blood transfusions and 72 hours or longer hospital stays are covered. Home health services and hospice care are also covered, provided you meet specific criteria. While you compare Medicare Part A, you should know that it does not provide total coverage -- only medically necessary coverage-- and does not cover custodial or long-term care.

   
Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Medicare Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Candi Wingate