Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A: Hospital
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance provided by Medicare through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Part A coverage includes (but may not be limited to) inpatient care in hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, and critical access hospitals. Part A does not include long-term or custodial care. If you meet specific requirements, then you may also be eligible for hospice or limited home health care.
If you’re enrolled in Original Medicare, doctors and suppliers are required by law to file Medicare claims for covered services and supplies you get. In most cases, you don’t need to file Medicare Part A claims as a beneficiary.
Who's eligible for Medicare Part A?
Typically, you must be age 65 to enroll in Medicare. To receive Medicare Part A free of charge, you must meet the following criteria:
You’ve worked and paid Medicare taxes at least 40 quarters or roughly 10 years. If your spouse worked, but you did not, you can still qualify.
You receive (or are eligible for) Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
You or your spouse are or were Medicare-covered government employees.
Other people may also qualify for Medicare Part A based on their health, such as if they have:
a disability
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
end stage renal disease