Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A, often referred to as hospital insurance, primarily covers inpatient hospital stays for acute care needs. This includes a semi-private room, meals, and essential nursing services during your time in the facility. It also extends to up to 100 days of care in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) per benefit period, provided you qualify after a minimum three-day inpatient hospital stay.
Additionally, Part A provides coverage for hospice care to support those with terminal illnesses, as well as home health services if you’re homebound and require intermittent skilled care (such as nursing or therapy) ordered by your doctor. There’s no fixed limit on home health days as long as you meet the eligibility criteria—no prior hospital stay is typically required.
For mental health needs, Part A covers inpatient stays in a Medicare-certified psychiatric hospital for up to 190 days over your lifetime.
This coverage helps ensure you receive the support you need during challenging health situations, with most people qualifying for premium-free Part A based on their work history.
Eligibility for Medicare Part A
If you’re turning 65 and have worked in the United States for at least 10 years (or 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment), you typically qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. This is because a portion of your earnings was deducted for Social Security taxes, which includes funding for Part A hospital insurance.
You may also be eligible earlier if you have certain conditions, such as a qualifying disability (after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). In these situations, you must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. continuously for at least five years.
Understanding your eligibility ensures you can access this essential coverage without unexpected costs—our team can help verify your status.
Medicare Part A Enrollment: Automatic and Manual Options
If you’re already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65, you’ll typically be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) without needing to take action. This also applies if you’ve been on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, leading to automatic enrollment in the 25th month. In these cases, your Medicare card will be mailed to you a few months before your coverage starts.
If you’re not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare Part A online through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, by phone, or in person at a local SSA office. It’s important to sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period (three months before to three months after your 65th birthday) to avoid potential delays or penalties. Our experts can assist if you have questions about your specific situation.
Does Part A have a Premium?
Because a particular portion of your Social Security taxes was set aside for your Medicare coverage, Part A coverage typically doesn’t cost you anything out of pocket.
In most cases, you won’t be required to pay for Part A Medicare if you have worked for at least ten years. As long as you have been a lawful resident for at least five years, you can still buy Part A even if you haven’t worked for at least ten years.
Speak with one of our Medicare consultants for more information about the most recent Part A premium prices.
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We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information provided is limited to the plans we do offer in your area. Please get in touch with Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.