Medicare Part A primarily covers inpatient and hospital-related services. Specifically, it includes:
- Inpatient hospital care: Covers semi-private rooms, meals, general nursing, drugs, and other hospital services when you are formally admitted as an inpatient. Coverage is generally for up to 90 days per benefit period, with additional lifetime reserve days available for extended stays
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care: Covers room, board, skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and other related services for up to 100 days per benefit period, following a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days
- Hospice care: Covers comprehensive end-of-life care including pain management, symptom control, counseling for patients and families, and respite care for caregivers
- Home health care: Covers certain skilled nursing and therapy services provided at home if you are homebound and meet specific criteria, typically after a hospital stay
Additionally, Part A covers inpatient care in various facilities such as critical access hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric hospitals (with lifetime limits), and long-term care hospitals
. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters; otherwise, a monthly premium applies
. In summary, Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services, focusing on inpatient and institutional care settings
