Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Medicare Part A helps pay for care in hospitals as an inpatient, critical access hospitals (small facilities that give limited outpatient and inpatient services to people in rural areas), skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care), hospice care, and some home health care. Information about your coverage under Medicare Part A can be found in the Medicare Coverage database.

If you aren’t sure if you have Part A, look on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. If you have Part A, “HOSPITAL (PART A)” is printed on your card.

How Can I Enroll In Traditional Medicare?

If you already receive Social Security Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B the month you turn 65. Three months prior to your birth date you should be receiving your Medicare card in the mail.

If you do not receive Social Security Benefits, you will not be automatically enrolled. You need to apply at the beginning of your seven-month initial enrollment period (90 days prior to your 65th birthday) to make sure your coverage start date will not be delayed. At this time you have also the option to apply for Social Security Benefits.

Do I Have To Pay For Traditional Medicare?

If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while you worked you do not have to pay a monthly payment called a premium for Part A. If you or your spouse did not pay Medicare taxes or you did not work, and you are age 65 or older, you still may be able to buy Part A when:

• You (or your spouse) aren’t entitled to Social Security because you didn’t work or didn’t pay enough Medicare taxes while you worked and you are age 65 or older, or
• You are disabled but no longer get premium-free Part A because you returned to work.

If you have limited income and resources, your state may help you pay for Part A and/or Part B.

For more information you can visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call your Social Security office.
It might be a good idea to think about additional coverage by comparing Medicare Supplemental insurance quotes and Medicare Advantage plan quotes to your Medicare Part B premium in order to find the health care coverage that best suits your needs and your budget. Also, adding a Medicare prescription drug plan may help you with high costs for medications in the future.