Medicare Part A Is Not All-Inclusive Coverage
For those that are getting close to the age of 65, understanding the Medicare program might be a bit confusing. There are some that might still think that Medicare is the original coverage that used to cover the major medical expenses, but now that is only partially true. Medicare Part A is only part of the Medicare coverage that is available. For most people, there might not be a premium for the Medicare Part A or hospitalization coverage, but there are some that will have to pay a premium for all parts of Medicare coverage.
Medicare is now broken down into Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, which covers doctor and emergency room services besides other treatments and testing, and Medicare Part D is the prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part C is through private insurance companies and it is a combination of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B through a PPO or HMO plan. Some Medicare Part C coverage might include a prescription drug plan, eliminating the need for Medicare Part D.
Under Medicare Part A, you can expect to have coverage for inpatient care when you are in hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing and critical access hospitals, but it does not include any kind of long-term or custodial care. There might be certain cases where you would be eligible for hospice or home health care, but it depends on many things, including your income. Those with lower income can get help that might be available through your state Medicaid program. The important thing to realize is that Medicare Part A is not an all-inclusive health insurance policy, but it will cover the major health issues when you are in a hospital setting.
Medicare Part A will help to cover blood transfusions during your stay, and it will cover a semi-private hospital room with meals, that lasts longer than 3 days. It will cover the general nursing services you receive, but will not cover doctor services and emergency room services because those fall under the Medicare Part B coverage. If your hospital stay involves a rehabilitation period in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility, then you would be covered for a maximum of 100 days, but only the first 20 are fully paid and the next 80 days involve a co-payment.
When it comes to hospice care under Medicare Part A, it is reserved for the terminally ill that have been diagnosed with six months or less to live and includes some medication that might be necessary to offer relief. Home health care is limited to skilled nursing care, physical therapy, or other occupational therapy, including speech. There is certain home health care equipment like wheelchairs, hospital beds and walkers or oxygen that are certain medical supplies covered under Medicare Part A. This portion can be related to your home health care after your hospital stay that is covered under Medicare Part A.
That is the basic summary of Medicare Part A and it is not all-inclusive health care, by any means. It will pay a large portion of a hospital stay, but there are many things that aren’t covered, yet related to your hospital stay. You may want to consider additional options like Medicare Part B, Part C or Medicare supplement insurance policies.