Medicare Part A - Premium Free Health Insurance

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for qualifying individuals. To qualify, you must be 65 years older, have certain qualifying disabilities or have End Stage Renal Disease. Medicare was created in 1965 to help pay for medical costs incurred by qualifying individuals.

In the beginning, the program was divided into two parts, Parts A and B. As time passed, Medicare coverage evolved. Part C was created by the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. Part C allowed Medicare benefits to be offered by private companies in addition to their standard cadre of benefits. Prescription coverage was added in 2003 to help cover medications. Today the program is comprised of four parts, Medicare Part A-D. Part C now deals with Advantage Plans and Part D is the prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part A is the part of this health insurance program that is available to all qualifying individuals premium free. This aspect of the program covers costs associated with some specific types of health care. Hospital costs, hospice care, skilled nursing care and home health care are covered by this part of the Medicare program. There are some important details and specifics that fall under each of the services covered by this part of the program.

If you are in the hospital, Medicare Part A will pay100 percent of costs incurred after the deductible for up to 60 days of care. These covered cots include such things as a semi private room, medication, nursing care, use of equipment, laboratory tests and more. 

Private rooms that are not medically necessary are considered a luxury item and, thus, not covered by the program. Coverage is also provided for time spent in a skilled nursing facility. It is important to note that a skilled nursing facility is not the same as a nursing home. A skilled nursing facility is a place where nursing and rehabilitative care is rendered. 

For individuals that require home health care or hospice care, Medicare Part A will provide coverage for these services. Medically necessary home health care will be covered if you meet certain eligibility requirements. The program requires that you be confined to your home and that a physician verify the necessity of the care. Hospice care is a covered service for those who require end of life care. Pain control and management of other symptoms as well as medical supplies, homemaker services, respite care and counseling are all part of hospice care.