Original Medicare Part A | Hospital Insurance

Learn About Your Hospital Coverage

Original or basic Medicare consists of 2 parts: Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical insurance).

Part A covers Medicare inpatient care, including services you receive while staying in a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and, in some circumstances, at home.

What Is Typically Covered?

Generally, Part A coverage includes

Am I Eligible for Part A?

Most people are automatically eligible at age 65 if they’re already collecting retirement benefits. You may qualify for Part A before age 65 if you have a

Disability or
End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

You must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident of at least 5 continuous years.

What Does Part A Cost?

Many qualify to get Medicare Part A premium-free. Others must pay up to $499 a month to maintain their benefits. If you’ve paid Medicare taxes for at least 40 quarters, your premium is free. Similarly, people who have paid 30-39 quarters only need to pay $274 as of 2022.

There is also a $1,556 deductible for every benefit period. This means you must pay that amount before your benefits start paying for health care services.

Part A has a coinsurance component too. Here’s how it breaks down:

Days 1-60: $0 coinsurance for each benefit period
Days 61-90: $389 coinsurance per day of each benefit period
Days 91 and beyond: $778 coinsurance per each “lifetime reserve day” after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime)
Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs

When Can I Enroll?

Part A enrollment is typically automatic for those who turn 65 and are already getting retirement benefits. You should get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail about 3 months before you turn 65.

If you don’t qualify for retirement benefits, you’ll need to enroll in Part A manually during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)—which is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday. You can sign up through the Social Security website, by visiting a local office, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.

Have a Great Medicare Experience

Medicare is essential if you don’t have other health insurance in retirement. To get started with your benefits, give Overton Agency a call at 501-881-2050.

Medicare Part A