Medicare Part A , Hospital coverage
Part A helps pay for the care you receive when you're admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Most people don't pay a monthly premium for it.
What Part A covers
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services.
Room, meals, and general nursing during an inpatient stay.
Short-term care after a qualifying hospital stay.
Comfort-focused care if you have a life-limiting illness.
Part-time skilled nursing or therapy in your home.
What it costs
Most people get Part A premium-free because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You still pay a deductible per hospital benefit period, and coinsurance for longer stays.
When to enroll
You're usually enrolled automatically when you start Social Security. If not, sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period , the seven months around your 65th birthday.
Prefer to talk it through? Talk to a licensed agent.