Medicare Part A

Inpatient Care In The Hospital

Medicare Part A offers hospital coverage for inpatient care received by patients admitted to a hospital by a physician to treat their illness or injury. This coverage extends up to 90 days from the day of admission. If you require hospitalization for more than 90 days, you may use up to 60 non-renewable lifetime reserve days and require a daily co-insurance payment. During your hospital stay, the hospital will provide a semi-private room where you will receive general nursing care, medical medications, and other healthcare-related necessities.

Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Skilled nursing facility care is generally a great way to manage your health and prevent it from deteriorating. If you have Medicare Part A, you can qualify for a semi-private room, skilled nursing services, dietary counseling, and necessary ambulance transportation. To be eligible for SNF care, you should be under the care of a hospital affiliated with your need for such care. You should have an ongoing condition treated during your 3-day inpatient hospital stay or a new condition that began while receiving skilled nursing facility care. The plan will provide coverage for 100 days, as long as you meet the requirements during the benefit period.

Home Health Care

If you are homebound due to illness or injury, Medicare Part A provides coverage for home health services. These services should be approved by a physician and provided by a Medicare-certified agency. The covered services include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology services, and other home health aide care. However, to be qualified for home health care under Medicare Part A, you should receive home services within 14 days following discharge from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility. This coverage can extend to the first 100 days of home health care.

Hospice Care

Medicare Part A provides hospice care for terminally ill patients, focusing on palliative rather than curative treatment to enhance the quality of life in their final months. Coverage includes medical, nursing, spiritual, and grief counseling services, as well as short-term inpatient care for symptom management and pain relief. To qualify for this coverage, a doctor should confirm that the patient has a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. The patient should also provide a disclosure indicating their preference for hospice care over Medicare-curative treatments.