Medicare Part A explained
Medicare Supplement Insurance also is known as “Medigap” fills in gaps Original Medicare and is offered by private companies.
Traditional Medicare plans pay for much, but not for all, and do not pay the costs for covered healthcare services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy/plan can help pay some remaining part of the healthcare costs, including:
- Copayments
- Coinsurance
- Deductibles
Medicare Supplement Insurance consists of two parts. Medicare Part A – hospital insurance and Medicare Part B – medical insurance. Medicare Part A covers Medicare inpatient care that is care received while in a hospital, nursing facility, and, in particular, circumstances, at-home treatment. Most people became automatically eligible for Medicare Part A when they reach the age of 65. It is possible when they are already getting retirement benefits from social security or the railroad retirement board. A person also qualifies for Medicare Part A before 65 if he/she is a disabled person, last-stage at renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To be eligible for Medicare Part A, you must be either a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident of the USA at least five straight years.
Medicare Part A covers:
- Hospital care of inpatient
- Conditioned home health services
- Nursing facility care provided that custodial care isn’t the only care required
- Hospice care
Medicare Part A beneficiaries receive full coverage for hospital expenses that are critical for your inpatient care, including semi-private room, nursing services, meals, medications included in your inpatient treatment, and other related services and supplies from the hospital. Part A also has critical inpatient care provided through:
- Critical access hospitals
- Acute care hospitals
- Long-term care hospitals
- Mental health care
- Inpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Participation in a clinical research study
Medicare Part A insurance does not cover the costs of a private room, your private-duty nursing, your care items expenses as shampoo, telephone, and television. It also does not cover the cost of blood. You do not pay for blood if the hospital gets it from a blood bank without any charges. But if the hospital purchase blood for you, you have to pay for the first three units that you will receive each.
Medicare Part A Costs
If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working (generally 40 quarters), most people pay $0 monthly premium for Medicare Part A in 2025.
If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you may purchase it in 2025 at:
- ~$518/month (for fewer than 30 quarters of covered Medicare work)
- ~$285/month (reduced rate, for those with 30–39 quarters of coverage)
Inpatient Hospital Costs (2025):
- $1,676 deductible per benefit period before Medicare starts paying
- Days 1–60: $0 coinsurance after deductible
- Days 61–90: $419 per day coinsurance
- Days 91–150: $838 per lifetime reserve day (up to 60 days total lifetime)
- Beyond day 150: you pay 100% of costs
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance:
- Days 1–20: $0 per day
- Days 21–100: $209.50 per day
- After day 100: you pay all costs
Medicare Part A Enrollment
Medicare Part A Eligibility
You are eligible for a Medicare supplement insurance Part A if:
- You are age 65 or older and a U.S. citizen.
- You are a legal resident of at least five years.
- You are getting retirement benefits.
- You are disabled and getting disability benefits.
- You have the last-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Medicare Part A Premiums
Most Medicare part beneficiaries do not pay a premium if they worked at least ten years and paid Medicare taxes at that time. People who aren’t able to get premium-free Medicare Part A can also get themselves enroll in Part A and pay a premium.
Four ways to pay your Premium:
- Pay online via Medicare account.
You can pay by your credit card, and debit card into your Medicare account online
- Pay directly from your Bank saving Account
You can also directly pay your premium from your savings account
- Medicare Easy Pay
The third and free service that automatically deducts your premium payments from your savings or checking account each month is Medicare’s easy pay app on the 20th of the month.
- Mail check to Medicare